
Class 

Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



^^ 



AN 



^©riginal, dompikir auir dorrecttb ^^crotint 

or 

BURGOYNE'S CAMPAiaN, 

AND THE 

MEMORABLE BATTLES OF BEMIS'S HEIGHTS, 

SEPT. 19, AND OCT, 7, 1777, 

FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION; 

INCLUDING 

MANY INTERESTING INCIDENTS 

CONNECTED WITH THE SAME : 
AND A 

MAP OF THE BATTLE GROUxXD. 
BY CHARLES WeILSON, ESQ. 



Methinks I bear the sound of time long past 
Still murmuring: oVr me, and whif^perii.g in 
The following pages— like the lingerin? voices 
Oi those who long within their graves have slept. 



AL' ANT 

PRINTED BY J. MUWSELI., 

JVb. 59 State Strtet. 

1844 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by 

CHARLES KEILSON, 

in the Clerk*s office for the Northern District of New York. 



^- 



L»w} 



«. '«^ 



RECOMMENDATIONS- 



The following Recommendation is from the Rev. C'harles 0. 
Kimball, and the Rev. Isaac Wescott. 

Stillwater, March 28, 1844. 
Charles Neilson, Esq : 

Dear Sir — We have read v^^ith deep interest your work in 
manuscript entitled '' An Original, Compiled and Corrected Ac- 
count of Burgoyne's Campaign, and the Memorable Battles on 
Bemis's Heights, on the 19th September, and 7th October, 1777" 
&c. &c., and are free to say, that we believe it to be a document 
of great merit, containing a full, clear, and authentic statement 
of important facts and incidents, of the most thrilling kind, con- 
nected with the Revolutionary war. 

The book is eminently worthy of publication, and introduction 
into every family in the country, and of being read by every 
youth, that the rising generation may enjoy the correct, interest- 
ing and profitable view therein presented, of the toils, sufi'erings, 
conflicts, and triumphs of our venerable ancestors. The ability, 
age, and above all, the peculiarly favorable circumstances of the 
author's birth, education, and parentage, exhibit the most lucid 
proof of qualification for the work, and sure evidence of truth 
and fidelity in its execution. 
These circumstances should secure a ready and extensive sale. 
With sentiments of respect and esteem. 

Permit us, sir, to subscribe ourselves, 
Your obedient servants, 

CHARLES 0. KIMBALL. 
ISAAC WESCOTT. 



Albany, May 23, 1844. 
Charles Neilson, Esq., 

Dear Sir — At your request and that of my esteemed friend, 



ir. RECOMMENDATIONS. 

the Rev. Mr. Kimball of Stillwater, I have perused most of the 
proof sheets of your " Account of Burgoyne's Campaign, and of 
the Memorable Battles of Bemis's Heights," and I can truly say, 
that I have derived much pleasure as well as information from 
their perusal. Without intending to pass upon the comparative 
accuracy of your account of this portion of our Revolutionary 
history, and those of your predecessors, or to sit in judgment 
lupon the motives which governed the conduct of some of the 
principal agents connected with the transactions of this import- 
ant campaign, I cheerfully accord to you, the credit which I 
think you richly deserve, of having materially, and in an attract- 
ive form, added to our stock of historical information, in refer- 
ence to a period big with the future destinies and fate of our be- 
loved country. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

SAMUEL S. RANDALL. 



TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. 



As the memorable battles onBemis's Heights 
have become a subject of increasing interest 
to the '* good people" of these United States ; 
and as no historian, in his own account of the 
revohitionary war, has yet given a very mintue 
or even correct superficial account of the same, 
it has been suggested by many, who feel a deep 
interest in the subject, that a more particular 
history ought to be given to the public, for the 
benefit of the present, rising, and all future 
generations ; accompanied with a topographi- 
cal view, or description of the important 
ground, and its relative situation with respect 
to the surrounding country ; and is the simple 



Tl. TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. 

reason for even commencing the following 
narrative. 

The author, in the absence of some one 
better qualified for the important duty, though 
he knows his own efforts will be feeble and 
inadequate to the task, has thought proper, as 
far as in him lies, to try to give a true and 
impartial history of all, or at least, the prin- 
cipal facts relative to the several movements 
of the two armies under generals Gates and 
Burgoyne, and of the several battles fought 
between different portions of the same, accord^ 
ing to the most authentic information that, he 
thinks at least, can possibly be obtained at this, 
so late a day. As the author is not writing to 
* please any particular individual or set of men, 
or to gratify the peculiar taste of any particular 
class of readers, he will not, therefore, as far 
as his own style is used^ attempt to dress his 
subject in lofty and sublime language, or in un- 
intelligible and mysterious phrases, but in the 
plain and simple every-day language of a hum- 
ble farmer^ as he is, and in language, he 



TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. Til, 

hopes, that will be understood equally as well 
by the common school boy, as by the man of 
science. In giving an account of any impor- 
tant transaction that took place at some re- 
mote former period, it is always desirable, and 
sometimes thought necessary, especially when 
there has been so many different accounts of 
the same transaction, as in this case, that the 
author introduce some facts or circumstances 
connected with the subject under considera- 
tion, that will have a tendency at least, to 
place the narrative beyond the possibility of 
doubt. 

In respect to the topographical description, 
the author refers the reader to an examination 
of the ground thereon described, where he 
will not only find a great portion of the re- 
mains of the old entrenchments and other for- 
tifications, as evidence of its correctness, but 
will, he thinks, be much gratified with a view 
from the author's dwelling — of the most beau- 
tiful, picturesque, and extensive landscape to 
be found, perhaps, within the " Empire State." 



Viii. TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC, 

If taste for grandeur, or the more sublime, 

Prompt thee, my friend, these gentle Heights to climb, 

Here gaze attentive on the scene around, 

But tread, with holy awe, this hallow'd ground ! 

In order that the reader may the better 
judge of the authenticity of the author's infor- 
mation on the subject on which he is about to 
write, he will remark, that in addition to the 
information repeatedly received from a number 
of the old revolutionary officers and soldiers, 
who have ever resided in this vicinity, and 
who took a part in the battles ; he also receiv- 
ed it from his much respected father, a man 
of well known strong and discerning mind, of 
superior intellect, and the most retentive mem- 
ory, who lived at the time of those most im- 
portant events, within the circle of the Ameri- 
can camp on Bemis's Heights, and in the very 
house, now standing, in which the brave Gen. 
Poor and the heroic Col. Morgan quartered ; and 
who was a volunteer under Gen. Arnold at the 
time he wen ton with reinforcements to the relief 
of the garrisson at Fort Stanwix. He was also 
a volunteer under Gov. Geo. Clinton at the time 



TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC, IX* 

he went north to intercept the retreat of sir 
John Johnson, and was one of the two scouts, 
who were selected by the governor, and sent 
from Crown Point, to scour the wilderness 
between that post and Schroon lake ; and also 
performed many other similar, important and 
hazardous duties, an account of which is now 
on record. He was also with the American 
armv from the time of its retreat from Fort Ed- 
ward to Van Schaii k's island, except when 
otherwise employed, and on its return to 
Bemis's Heights, assisting with his team in con» 
veyin^ the baggage of the army. He also re- 
mained with the army during its whole stay 
on Bemis's Heights, and until the time of Bur- 
goyne's surrender at Saratoga, and became 
familiarly acquainted with all the officers, and 
actually led out, or piloted three regiments to 
the field of action — the country then being 
principally a wilderness, and executed many 
other important duties. He also continued to 
live at the same place until the time of his de- 
cease in '33, and on the very ground and in its 



X. TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. 

vicinity where those important battles and in- 
teresting movements of the two contending 
armies, of w^hich the author is about to write, 
took place, and consequently, the reader, he 
thinks, as well as the author himself, will say 
that he must of course, and beyond the possi- 
bility of doubt, have been familiarly acquaint- 
ed with every portion of the ground on which 
every action was fought, and with the move- 
ments of each and every brigade, rigiment, and 
batallion of the two contending armies, and 
especially of the American. 

In addition to the foregoing, the author will 
add, that, he being a man of well known abil- 
ity to communicate, and of strong and reten- 
tive memory, even of the most minute circum- 
stances, it isj therefore, more than probable, 
that he retained as far as it was possible for 
frail man to retain, a full, clear, and compre- 
hensive recollection of all the facts and cir- 
cumstances, which the author is about to dis- 
close, until they were communicated and of- 
ten repeated to and treasured up by him, in 



TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. XI. 

all their simplicity and truth, and who now as 
a most faithful and humble servant presents 
them before a generous and charitable public. 
The author is well aware of his respon- 
sibility in as much as his own account in many 
instances, will differ very materially from the 
most, if not all of those who have written upon 
the subject. Not that he would mean to be un- 
derstood to say, that all others are intentional- 
ly in an error ; but on the contrary, when he 
looks at the materials out of which their super- 
structures have been erected, he feels more 
charitably disposed towards them than he other- 
wise would feel, had their premises been true 
from which they have drawn their false con- 
clusions. It has been frequently remarked, 
that in the original accounts given of the sever- 
al movements of the two armies, and especial- 
ly of the battles fought between them, there 
are no two who agree in their statements. 
This is a lamentable fact, and having been 
well weighed in the author's mind, more 
strongly confirms him if possible in the au- 



Xii. TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. 

thenticitj of the account which he has re- 
ceived from those who had, and continued to 
have, the best possible means of observing and 
retaining the facts as thej transpired. The 
reader will bear in mind, that the time when 
those original accounts were written by the 
officers, or others connected with the armies, 
was a time of much confusion and alarm, and 
a time of the greatest excitement ; when the 
minds of the people generally, were on the ut- 
most stretch, to catch at something favorable 
on the one side, or unfavorable on the other; 
and consequently under such circumstances, 
and during the moment of such excitement, it 
is not to be wondered at, that all the accounts 
then hastily drawn up, and hurriedly despatch- 
ed to some general officer, or particular friend, 
should be wanting in many prominent particu- 
lars, and redundant in others. Gen. Washing- 
ton himself often complained of the many dif- 
ferent and conflicting statements which came 
to him, and which seemed at the time to baf- 
fle all conjecture. And the author would now 



to A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. Xllh 

ask the reader to place his finger on one sin- 
gle sentence, which he can select from those 
original accounts, that has been altered or cor- 
rected by its author ; and if he is not able to 
do that, he would again ask, to which one of 
them, for they are numerous, will he give his 
assent, and reject all others as incorrect. 

In giving an account of some of the nume- 
rous incidents connected with Burgoyne's cam- 
paign, the author will do it in as few words as 
possible, and retain the substance of the facts 
as they transpired. 

As this is the author's first and only attempt 
at " book-making," and as he is duly sensible 
of the delicate situation in which he has very 
reluctantly placed himself — though his aim is 
sincerely to do good, by recording what he 
verily believes to be a plain and simple state- 
of facts ; he earnestly hopes, therefore, that 
all his imperfections either in style or arrange- 
ment, will be indulgently overlooked by the 



XIV. TO A PATRIOTIC PUBLIC. 

reader, of whom he will, for the present, take 
his leave with the following motto — 

" Truth ought always to be preferred before elegance 
of language." 

THE AUTHOR. 



BURGOYNFS CAMPAIGN, 



CHAPTER i. 

During the progress of the Revolutionary 
War, the British minister formed the scheme 
of opening a way to New- York, by means of 
an army which should descend from Lake 
Champlain to the banks of the Hudson, and 
unite in the vicinity of Albany with the whole, 
or with a part of that commanded by Gen. 
Howe. All intercourse would then have been 
cut off between the Eastern and Western pro- 
vinces, and it was believed that victory from 
that moment, could no longer be doubtful. 
This expedition to them, presented few diffi- 
culties, since, with the exception of a short 
march, it might be executed entirely by water. 
It was hoped that it would have been already 
effected by the close of the preceding year ; 
but it had failed in consequence of the obsta- 



\6 burgoyne's campaign. 

cles encountered upon the lakes, the lateness 
of the season, and especially because while 
Gen. Carlton, then Governor of Canada, ad- 
vanced upon Ticonderoga, and consequently 
towards the Hudson, Gen. Howe, instead of 
proceeding up the river to join him, had car- 
ried his arms against New Jersey. At present, 
however, this scheme had acquired new favor, 
and what in the preceding years had been only 
an incidental part of the plan of the campaign, 
was now become its main object. The entire 
British nation had founded the most sanguine 
expectations upon this arrangement ; nothing 
else seemed to be talked of among them but 
this expedition of Canada, which was shortly 
to bring about the total subjection of America. 
The junction of the two armies appeared quite 
sufficient to attain this desired object ; the 
Americans, it was said, could not oppose it 
without coming to a general battle, and in 
such case, there could exist no doubt of the 
result. The ministers had taken all the mea- 
sures which they deemed essential to the suc- 
cess of so important an enterprise ; they had 
furnished with profusion whatever the gene- 
rals themselves had required or suggested. 
General Burgoyne, an officer of uncontested 



BURGOYNE's CAMPAIGW. 17 

ability, possessed of an exact knowledge of the 
country, and animated by an ardent thirst for 
military glory, had repaired to England during 
the preceeding winter, where he had submit- 
ted to the ministers the plan of this expedition, 
and had concerted with them the means of 
carrying it into effect. The ministry, besides 
their confidence in his genius and spirit, placed 
great hope in that eager desire of renown by 
which they knew him to be goaded incessant- 
ly ; they gave him therefore the direction of 
all the operations. 

General Burgoyne arrived in Quebec in the 
beginning of the month of May 1777, and im- 
mediately set himself to push forward the busi- 
ness of his mission. He displayed an extreme 
activity in completing all the preparations 
which might conduce to the success of the en- 
terprise. Meanwhile, several ships arrived 
from England, bringing arms, munitions, and 
field equipage, in great abundance ; and every 
thing was in preparation for an exjjedition 
which was to decide the event of the war, and 
the fate of America. 

The regular force placed at the disposal of 
Burgoyne, consisting of British and German 
troops, amounted to upwards of seven thou- 



18 burgoyne's campaign* 

sand merij exclusive of a corps of artillerj com- 
posed of about five hundred. To these were 
added a detachment of seven hundred rangers, 
under Col. St. Ledger, destined to make an 
excursion into the Mohawk country, and to 
seize Fort Stanwix, otherwise called Fort 
Schuyler, This corps consisted of some com- 
panies of English infantry, of recruits from 
New-York, Hanau chasseurs, and of a party 
of Canadians and savages. He was also join- 
ed by about two thousand Canadians including 
axemen, and other workmen, whose services, 
it was foreseen, would be much needed to ren- 
der the ways practicable. A sufficient num- 
ber of seamen had been assembled for man- 
ning the transports upon the lakes and upon 
the Hudson. Besides the Canadians that 
were to be immediately attached to the army, 
many others were called upon to scour the 
wood in the frontiers, and to occupy the in- 
termediate posts between the army which ad- 
vanced towards the Hudson, and that which 
remained for the protection of Canada ; the 
latter amounted, including the Highland emi- 
grants to upwards of three thousand men. In 
addition to the foregoing, a host of savages 
from their avidity to grasp the presents of the 



BURGOrNE's CAMPAIGN. 19 

English or from their innate thirst for blood 
and plunder, were induced to join the British 
army. Never, perhaps, was an army of no 
greater force than this accompanied by so for- 
midable a train of artillery, as well from the 
number of pieces as from the skill of those 
who served it. This powerful apparatus was 
considered eminently sufficient to disperse 
without effort an undisciplined enemy in the 
open country, or to dislodge him from any 
difficult places. The generals who seconded 
Burgoyne in this expedition were all able and 
excellent officers. The principal were major- 
general Philips, of the artillery, who had dis- 
tinguished himself in the wars of Germany, 
the brigadier-generals Frazer, Powal, and 
Hamilton, with the Brunswick major-general 
baron Reidesel, and brigadier-generals Specht 
and Goll. The whole army shared in the ar- 
dor and hopes of its chiefs, not a doubt was 
entertained of an approaching triumph, and 
the conquest of America. The preparations 
being at length completed, and all the troops, 
as well national as auxiliary, having arrived, 
Burgoyne proceeded to encamp near the little 
river Bouquet, in now Essex county, upon the 
west bank of Lake Champlain, at no great dis- 



20 BURGOYiNE's CAMPAIGN. 

tance to the north of Crown Point. As the 
time for commencing hostilities was near at 
hand and dreading the consequences of the bar- 
barity of the savages, which, besides the disho- 
nor it reflected on the British arms, might prove 
essentially prejudicial to the success of the ex- 
pedition, he made a speech to them, calculated, 
in terms of singular energy, to excite their 
ardor in the common cause, and at the same 
time to repress their ferocious propensities. 

While on the one hand general Burgoyne 
attempted to mitigate the natural ferocity of 
the Indians, he endeavored on the other, to 
render them an object of terror with those who 
persisted in resistance. For this purpose, on 
the twenty-ninth of June, he issued a general 
proclamation from his camp at Putnam Creek, 
wherein he magnified the force of the British 
armies and fleets which were about to embrace 
and to crush every part of America, He had 
come, he continued, with a numerous and ve- 
teran army, to put an end to the enormities of 
the people. He invited the well-disposed to 
join him, and assist in redeeming their country 
from slavery, and in the re-establishment of 
legal government. He promised protection 
and security to all those who should continue 



burgotne's campaign. 21 

quietly to pursue their occupations ; who should 
abstain from removing their cattle or corn, or 
any species of forage ; from breaking up the 
bridges, or obstructing the roads, and in a 
word, from committing any act of hostilities ; 
and who, on the contrary, should furnish the 
camp with all sorts of provisions, assured, as 
they might be, of receiving tUv, full value 
thereof in solid coin. But against the contu- 
macious, and those who should persist in re- 
bellion, he denounced the most terrible war; 
he w^arned them that justice and vengeance 
were about to overtake them accompanied 
with devastation, famine, and all the calamities 
of war in their train. Finally, he admon- 
ished them not to flatter themselves, that 
distance or coverts could screen them from his 
pursuit, for he had only to let loose the thou- 
sands of Indians that were under his direction, 
to discover in their most secret retreats, and 
to punish with condign severity the hardened 
enemies of Great Britian. 

That fearless people who inhabited the pro- 
vinces, and especially New England, far from 
allowiiig this manifesto to terrify them, were 
much inclined to deride it ; they never met 
with each other without contemptuously en- 



22 

quiring what vent the vaunting general of 
Britian had found for his pompous and ridi- 
culous declamations. 

These preliminary dispositions accomplish- 
ed, Burgojne made a short stop at Crown 
Point, for the establishment of magazines, an 
hospital, and other necessary services, and 
then proceeded with all his troops to invest 
Ticondc^roga. From Crown Point, the British 
army advanced on both sides of the lake, the 
naval force keeping its station in the center ; 
the frigate and gun boats cast anchor just out 
of cannon shot from the American works. 
On the near approach of the right wing, which 
advanced on the west side of the lake', on the 
second of July, the Americans abandoned and 
set fire to their works, block-houses and saw- 
mills, towards lake George ; and without at- 
tempting any serious opposition, suffered Gen. 
Phillips to take possession of Mount Hope. 
This post commanded the American lines in 
a great degree, and cut off their communica- 
tion with Lake George. The enemy charged 
the Americans, on this occasion, with supine- 
ness and want of vigor ; but this charge seems 
not well founded : they had not men enough 



burgoyne's campaign. 23 

to make any effectual opposition to the power- 
ful force which threatened to enclose them. 

In the meantime, the British army proceed- 
ed with such expedition in the construction of 
their works, the bringing up of their artillery, 
stores, and provisions, and the establishment 
of posts and communications, that by the fifth 
matters were so far advanced as to require but 
one or two days to completely invest the posts 
on both sides of the lake. Mount Defiance 
had also been examined, and the advantages 
which it presented were so important, that it 
had been determined to take possession and 
erect a battery there. This work, though at- 
tended with extreme difficulty and labor, had 
been carried on by Gen. Phillips with much 
expedition and success. A road had been 
made over very rough ground, to the top of the 
mound ; and the enemy were at work in con- 
structing a level for a battery and transporting 
their cannon. As soon as this battery should 
be ready to play, the American works would 
have been completely invested on all sides. 

The situation of Gen. St. Clair, who was in 
command of the Fort at Ticonderoga, was 
now very critical. He called a council of war 
to deliberate on measures to be taken. He 



24 BURGQYNE's CAMPAIGr«. 

informed them that their whole effective num- 
ber was not sufficient to man one-half of the 
works; that as the whole must be constantly 
on duty, it would be impossible for them to 
endure the fatigue for any considerable length 
of time ; that Gen. Schuyler, who was then at 
Fort Edward, had not sufficient forces to re- 
lieve them; and that as the enemy's batteries 
w^ere nearly ready to open upon them, and 
the place would be completely invested in 
twenty-four hours, nothing could save the 
troops but an immediate evacuation of the 
posts. 

It was proposed that the baggage of the 
army, with such artillery, stores, and provi- 
sions as the necessity of the occasion would 
admit, should be embarked with a strong de- 
tachment on board of two hundred batteaux, 
and despatched under convoy of five armed 
galleys, up the lake to Skeensborough (White- 
hall,) and that the main body of the army 
should proceed by land, taking its route on the 
road to Castleton in Vermont, which was about 
thirty miles south-east of Ticonderoga, and 
join the boats and galleys at Skeensborough. 
It was thought necessary to keep the matter 
a secret till the time should come when it was 



burgoyne's campaign. 25 

to be executed. Hence the necessary pre- 
parations could not be made, and it was not 
possible to prevent irregularity and disorder 
in the dififeret embarcations and movements 
of the troops. About two o'clock in the morn- 
ing of July 6th, Gen. St. Clair left Ticonde- 
roga, and about three, the troops at Mount 
Independence were put in motion. The house 
which had been occupied by Gen. de Fermoy 
was, contrary to orders, set on fire. This afford- 
ed complete information to the enemy of what 
was going forward, and enabled them to see 
every movement of the Americans; at the 
same time it impressed the latter with such an 
idea of discovery and danger, as precipitated 
them into great disorder. 

About four o'clock Colonel Francis brought 
off the rear-guard, and conducted their retreat 
in a regular manner, and soon after, some 
of the regiments, through the exertions of 
their officers, recovered from their confusion. 
When the troops arrived at Hubbardton, in 
Vermont, they were halted for nearly two 
hours, and the rear-guard was increased by 
many who did not at first belong to it, but 
were picked up on the road, having been una- 
ble to keep up with their regiments. The 

3 



26 

rear-guard was here put under the command 
of Col. Seth Warner, with orders to follow 
the army, as soon as the whole came up, and 
to halt a mile and a half short of the main body. 
The army then proceeded to Castleton, about 
six miles farther — Col. Warner, with the rear- 
guard and stragglers, remaining at Hubbardton. 
The retreat of the Americans from Ticonde- 
roga and Mount Independence, w^as no sooner 
perceived by the British, than Gen. Frazer 
began an eager pursuit with his brigade. 
Major-General Reidesel was ordered to join in 
the pursuit with the greater part of his Ger- 
mans. General Frazer continued the pursuit 
through the day, and having received intelli- 
gence that the rear-guard of the American 
army was at no great distance, ordered his 
men to lie that night upon their arms. On 
the 7th July, at five o'clock in the morning, ho 
came up with Colonel Warner, who had about 
one thousand men. The British advanced 
boldly to the attack, and the two bodies form- 
ed within sixty yards of each other. The con- 
flict was fierce and bloody. Colonel Francis 
fell at the head of his regiment, fighting with 
great gallantry. Colonel Warner was so well 
supported by his officers and men, that the as- 



burgoyne's campaign. 27 

sailants broke and gave way. They soon, 
however, recovered from their disorder, formed 
again, and charged the Americans with the 
bayonet, when they, in their turn, were put 
into disorder ; these however rallied and re- 
turned to the charge, and the issue of the bat- 
tle became dubious. At that moment General 
Reidesel appeared with the advanced party of 
his Germans. These being led into action, 
soon decided the fortune of the day, and the 
Americans had to retreat. The loss in this 
action was very considerable on the American 
side. Col. Hale, who had not brought his 
regiment, which consisted of militia, into ac- 
tion, although ordered so to do, in attempting 
to escape by flight, fell in with an inconside- 
rable party of the enemy, and surrendered 
himself, and a number of his men, prisoners. 
In killed, wounded and prisoners, the Ameri- 
cans lost in this action three hundred and 
twenty-four men, and the British one hundred 
and eighty-three in killed and wounded. 

Burgoyne having determined to pursue the 
Americans by water, the British seamen and 
artificers immediately engaged in the operation 
of destroying the boom and bridge which had 
been constructed in front of Fort Ti or Ti- 



28 BlTRGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

conderoga. The passage being cleared, the 
ships of Burgojne immediately entered Wood 
Creek and proceeded with extreme rapidity in 
search of the Americans, who had taken that 
route ; all was in motion at once upon land 
and water. 

By three in the afternoon, the van of the 
British squadron, composed of gun boats, came 
up with and attacked the American galleys, 
near Skeenesborough, In the meantime three 
regiments, which had been landed at South 
Bay, ascended and passed a mountain with 
great expedition, in order to turn the Ameri- 
cans above Wood Creek, to destrov their 
works at Skeenesborough, and thus to cut off 
their retreat to Fort Ann. But the Americans 
eluded this stroke by the rapidity of their 
flight. The British frigates having joined the 
van, the galleys already hard pushed by the 
gun boats, were completely overpowered. Two 
of them surrendered ; three were blown up. 
The Americans now despaired ; having set 
fire to their works, mills, and batteaux, and 
otherwise destroyed what they were unable to 
burn, they escaped as well as they could up 
Wood Creek, without halting till they reached 
Fort Ann. Their loss was considerable, for 



burgoyne's campaign. 29 

the batteaux they burnt were loaded with bag- 
gage, provisions, and munitions, as necessary 
to their sustenance as to military operations. 

General St. Clair, who had arrived with the 
van-guard at Castleton, in Vermont, upon in- 
telligence of the discomfiture at Hubbardton, 
and the disaster of Skeenesborough, which was 
brought to him at the same time by an officer 
of one of the galleys, apprehensive that he 
should be interrupted if he proceeded towards 
Fort Ann, struck into the woods on the left, 
uncertain whether he should repair to New 
England, or to Fort Edward. But being 
joined two days after, at Manchester, by the 
remains of the corps of Colonel Warner, and 
having collected the fugitives, he proceeded to 
Fort Edward, in order to unite with General 
Schuyler. 

After the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga, 
General Burgoyne endeavored to keep up the 
alarm, by spreading his parties over the coun- 
try. With this view. Colonel Hill, at the head 
of the ninth regiment, was despatched after 
Colonel Long, who with four or five hundred 
men, principally invalids and convalescents of 
the army, had taken post at Fort Ann, and 
was directed by General Schuyler to defend 



30 

it. Colonel Long with his party did not wait 
an attack from the enemy, but boldly advanced 
to meet them. 

At half past ten in the morning he attacked 
the British in front, with a heavy and well di- 
rected fire ; a large body passed the creek on 
the left, and fired from a thick wood across 
the creek on the left flank of the regiment : 
they then began to recross the creek and at- 
tack the enemy in the rear. Colonel Hill 
then found it necessary to change his ground, 
to prevent his regiment from being surround- 
ed. He took post upon the top of a hill to his 
right. As soon as he had taken post, the 
Americans made a very vigorous attack, which 
continued for upwards of two hours, and they 
would have certainly forced the enemy, had it 
not been for some Indians that arrived, and 
gave the Indian war-whoop, which was an- 
swered by the enemy with three cheers. The 
Americans soon after that gave way. The 
giving way of the Americans was caused not, 
however, by the terror of the war whoop, but 
by the failure of their ammunition. The fol- 
lowing is a very correct description of the 
scene of this action. 

On leaving the street of Fort Ann village. 



BURGOYNe's CAMPAIGPf. 31 

there is a bridge over Wood Creek, leading to 
its left bank. Immediately beyond the bridge 
there is a narrow pass, only wide enough for 
a carriage, and cut, in a great measure, out of 
a rocky ledge, which terminates here exactly 
at the creek. This ledge is the southern end 
of a high rocky hill, which converges towards 
Wood Creek, and between the two is a nar- 
row tract of level ground, which terminates at 
the pass already mentioned. On this ground 
the battle took place, and the wood on the 
right bank of the creek, from which the Ame- 
ricans fired upon the left flank of the British, 
is still there, and it was up this rocky hill that 
they retreated and took their stand. 

General Burgoyne, as usual, claimed a vic- 
tory in this affair, which is understood to have 
been a bloody contest, as indeed it obviously 
must have been from the narrowness of the de- 
file, and the consequent nearness of the con- 
tending parties. Captain Montgomery, of 
Colonel Hiil's regiment, was left wounded on 
the field, and taken prisoner by the Americans, 
which could not have been the fact, had the 
royal party been victorious. 

Colonel Long, deeming it not prudent to 
remain longer at Fort Ann, as the main body 



32 burgovtne's campaign. 

of the British arniy was on its near approach^, 
set fire to the fort, and withdrew with hi& 
Spartan band to Fort Edward. 

After the arrival of General St. Clair at Fort 
Edward on the twelfth, and of the fugitives, 
who came in by companies, all the American 
troops amounted to a little over four thousand- 
men, including militia. They were in want 
of all necessaries, and even of courage, in con- 
sequence of their reverses. The Americans 
lost in these different actions no less than one- 
hundred and twenty-eight pieces of artillery^ 
with a prodigious quantity of warlike stores^ 
baggage and provisions, particularly of flour, 
which ,they left in Ticonderoga and Mount 
Independence. To increase the calamity, the 
whole of the neighboring country was struck 
with terror by this torrent of disasters, and the 
inhabitants thought more of providing for their 
own safety, than of flying to the succor of 
their country in jeopardy. The country be- 
tween Fort Ann and Fort Edward, a distance 
of about sixteen miles, was extremely rough 
and savage ; the ground unequal, and broken 
with numerous streams, and with wide and 
deep morasses. General Schuyler neglected 
no means of adding by art to the difticulties 



burgoyne's campaigin. 33 

with which nature seemed to have purposely 
interdicted this passage. Trenches were open- 
ed, the roads and paths obstructed, the bridges 
broken up ; and in the only practicable defiles 
immense trees were cut in such a manner on 
both sides, of the road, as to fall across and 
lengthwise, which with their branches inter- 
woven, presented an insurmountable barrier; 
in a word, this wilderness, in itself so horrible, 
was thus rendered almost absolutely impene- 
trable. He also directed the cattle to be re- 
moved to the most distant places, and the 
stores and baggage from Fort George to Fort 
Edward, that articles of such necessity for his 
troops might not fall into the hands of the 
enemy. He urgently demanded that all the 
regiments of regular troops found in the adja- 
cent provinces, should be sent without delay 
to join him ; he also made earnest calls upon 
the militia of New England and New York. 

While he thus occupied himself with so 
much ardor. General Burgoyne was detained 
at Skeenesborough as well by the difficul- 
ty of the ground he had to pass, as be- 
cause he had to wait for the arrival of tents, 
baggage, artillery and provisions, so absolute- 
ly necessary before plunging himself into these 



34 bukgoyine's campaign. 

fearful solitudes. His army at this time was 
disposed in the following manner : the right 
occupied the heights of Skeenesborough, the 
German division of Reidesel forming its ex- 
tremity; the left, composed of Brunswickers, 
extending into the plain, rested upon the river 
at Castleton, and the brigade of Frazer formed 
the centre. The regiment of Hessians of 
Hanau was posted at the source of East Creek, 
to protect the camp of Castleton and the bat- 
teaux upon Wood Creek, against the incur- 
sions of Warner, who had been detached with 
his regiment into the state of Vermont, with 
orders to assemble the militia of the country, 
and to make incursions towards Ticonderoga. 
In the meantime, indefatigable labor was ex- 
erted in removing all obstacles to the naviga- 
tion of Wood Creek, and also in clearing pas- 
sages and opening roads through the country 
about Fort Ann. The design of Burgoyne 
was, that the main body of the army should 
penetrate through the wilderness we have just 
described to Fort Edward, while another co- 
lumn under General Phillips embarking at Ti- 
conderoga, should proceed up Lake George, 
reduce the fort of that name situated at its 
southern extremity, and afterwards rejoin him 



burgoyne's campaign. SB 

at Fort Edward. Upon the acquisition of 
Fort George, the stores, provisions and neces- 
saries were to be conveyed to the camp by 
way of the lake, the navigation of which was 
easier and more expeditious than that of Wood 
Creek, and there was, besides, a good w^agon 
road between the two posts. Such were the 
efforts made by the two belligerents ; the 
English believing themselves secure of victory; 
the Americans hardly venturing to hope for 
better fortune. 



CHAPTER II. 

In the meantime. Colonel St. Leger, whose 
detachment had been reinforced by a large body 
of Indians under Brant, (alias Tayadanaga) the 
great captain of the Six Nations, went up the 
St. Lawrence, then to Oswego, and from 
thence to Fort Stanwix. From this point it 
was intended to pass down the Mohawk and 
join the forces of Burgoyne at Albany. In 
June '76, general Schuyler, who had the com- 
mand of the north western frontier, sent Colonel 
Dayton to repair the works at Fort Stanwix : 



36 burgoyjse's campaign. 

he seems to have done little towards effecting 
this object ; he however, thought proper to 
change its name to Fort Schujier, which name 
it retained during the war. The last of April 
'77, Colonel Peter Gansevoort with the third 
regiment of the New- York line of troops, was 
sent to supply his place. 

Fort Stanwix, which stood on the present 
site of the village of Rome in Oneida county, 
and named from General Stanwix, was origi- 
nally erected in the year 1758, during the 
French war. It occupied a position command- 
ing the carrying place between the navigable 
waters of the Mohawk and Wood Creek, and 
was regarded as the key to the communication 
between Canada and the settlements on the 
Mohawk. It was originally a square fort, hav- 
ing four bastions surmounting a broad and 
deep ditch, with a covert way and glacis. In 
the centre of the ditch, a row of perpendicular 
pickets was planted, and another horizontal 
row fixed around the ramparts. But although 
the principal fortress had been erected at the 
enormous expense for those times of $266,400, 
yet at the commencement of the revolutionary 
war the whole was in ruins. 

On the third of August, Colonel St. Leger 



burgoyne's campaign. 37 

arrived before the fort with his whole force, 
consisting of a motlj collection of British re- 
gulars, Hessians, Tories, and about one thou- 
sand Indians. The garrison under Col. Ganse- 
voort, consisted of about seven hundred and 
fifty men. Soon after his arrival, St. Leger 
sent a flag into the fort with a manifesto, ad- 
vising submission to the mercy of the king, 
and denouncing severe vengeance against those 
who should continue in their unnatural rebel- 
lion. This manifesto produced no effect on 
the brave garrison, who had determined to 
defend the fortress to the last extremity. Ap- 
prised of this state of things, and knowing the 
importance of this post to the United States, 
General Herkimer ;summoned the militia of 
Tryon county to the field to march to the suc- 
cor of the garrison. On the fifth of August he 
arrived near Oriskany with a body of upwards 
of 800 men, all eager to meet the enemy. On 
the morning of the sixth. General Herkimer 
determined to halt till he had received rein- 
forcements, or at least until the signal of a 
sortie should be received from the fort. His 
officers, however, were eager to press forward ; 
high words ensued, during which the two 
colonels and other officers denounced their 



S8 BURGOYNE's CAMPAIGfN. 

commander to his face, as a tory and a coward. 
The brave old man cahnly replied that he con- 
sidered himself placed over them as a father, 
and that it was not his wish to lead them into 
any difficulty from which he could not extri- 
cate them. Burning, as they now seemed, to 
meet the enemy, he told them roundly that 
they would run at his first appearance, but his 
remonstrances were unavailing. Their clamor 
increased, and their reproaches were repeated, 
until, stung by imputations of cowardice and 
want of fidelity to the cause, and somewhat ir- 
ritated withal, the general immediately gave 
the order — " march on !" The words were 
no sooner heard than the troops gave a shout, 
and moved, or rather rushed forward. Colonel 
St. Leger having heard of the advance of 
general Herkimer, determined to attack him 
in an ambuscade. The spot chosen favored 
the design. There was a deep ravine crossing 
the path which Herkimer was traversing, 
sweeping towards the east in a semi-circulair 
form, and bearing in a northern and southern 
direction. The bottom of this ravine was 
marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a 
causeway. The ground, thus partly enclosed 
by the ravine, was elevated and level. The 



burgoyne's campaign. 39 

ambuscade was laid upon the high ground 
west of the ravine. 

The British troops, with a large body of In- 
dians under Brant disposed themselves in a 
circle, leaving only a narrow segment open for 
the admission of Herkimer's troops. Uncon- 
scious of the presence of the enemy, Gen. Her- 
kimer with his whole force, with the exception 
of the rear guard, found themselves encompass- 
ed at the onset — the foe closing up the gap 
on their first fire. Those on the outside fled 
as their commander had predicted ; those with- 
in the circle were thrown into disorder by the 
sudden and murderous fire now poured in upon 
them on all sides. General Herkimer fell 
wounded in the early part of the action, and 
was placed on his saddle against the trunk of 
a tree for his support, and thus continued to 
order the battle. The action having lasted 
more than half an hour in great disorder, 
Herkimer's men formed themselves into cir- 
cles to repel the attacks of the enemy, who 
were now closing in upon them from all sides. 
From this moment their resistance was more 
effective. The firing in a great measure ceas- 
ed ; and the conflict was- carried on with 
knives, bavonets, and the butt-ends of their 



40 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

muskets A heavy shower of ram now arrest^ 
ed the work of death ; the storm raged for an 
hour, and the enemy retired among the trees, 
at a respectful distance, having suffered severe- 
ly, notwithstanding the advantages in their fa- 
for. During this suspension of the conflict, 
General Herkimer's men, by his direction, 
formed themselves into a circle and awaited 
the movements of the enemy^ In the early 
part of the battle, wdienever a gun was fired 
hy a militiaman from behind a tree, an Indi- 
an rushed up and tomahawked him before he 
could reload. To counteract this, two men 
were stationed behind a single tree, one only 
to fire at a time — the other to reserve his fire, 
till the Indian ran up as before. The fight 
was soon renewed, but by this arrangement 
the Indians suffered so severely that they be- 
gan to give way. A reinforcement of the 
enemy now came up, called Johnson's Greens. 
These men were mostly royalists, who, having 
fled from Tryon county, now returned in arms 
against their former neighbors. Many of the 
militia and Greens knew each other, and as 
soon as they advanced near enough for recog- 
nition, mutual feelings of hate and revenge 
raged in their bosoms. The militia fired upon 



CAMPAIGN. 41 

them as they advanced, and then springing 
like tigers from their coverts, attacked them 
with their bayonets and butts of their muskets ; 
or both parties in close contest throttled^each 
other and drew their knives — stabbing and 
sometimes literally dying in each other's em- 
brace. 

This murderous conflict did not continue 
long : the Indians seeing with wliat resolution 
the militia continued the fight, and finding 
their own numbers greatly diminished, now 
raised the retreating cry *' OonahP^ and fled 
in every direction under the shouts of the 
surviving m.ilitia, and a shower of bullets. A 
firing was heard in the distance, from the 
fort; the Greens and Rangers now deemed 
that their presence was necessary elsewhere, 
and retreated precipitately, leaving the victo- 
rious militia of Tryon county masters of the 
field. Thus ended one of the severest, and 
for the numbers engaged, one of the most 
bloody battles of the revolutionary war. 

The loss of the militia, according to the 
American account, was two hundred killed, 
exclusive of wounded and prisoners. The 
loss of the enemy was equally if not more se- 
vere, than that of the Americans. General 



42 burgoyne's campaign. 

Herkimer, though wounded in the onset, bore 
himself during the six hours of conflict under 
the most trying circumstances, with a degree 
of fortitude and composure worthy of admira- 
tion. At one time during the battle, while 
sitting upon his saddle, raised upon a little hil- 
lock, being advised to select a less exposed 
situation, he replied, " I will face the enemy." 
Thus surrounded by a few men, he continued 
to issue his orders with firmness. In this si- 
tuation, and in the • midst of the onslaught, 
he deliberately took his tinder box from his 
pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great 
composure. After the battle was over he was 
removed from the field on a litter and convey- 
ed to his house, below the Little Falls on the 
Mohawk. 

At the time of the battle of Oriskany, when 
general Herkimer was advancing to the relief 
of the fort, a diversion was made in his favor, 
by a sortie of two hundred and fifty men under 
the command of Colonel Willet. Such was the 
impetuosity of Willet's movements, that sir 
John Johnson and his regiment, who lay near 
the fort with his Indian allies, sought safty in 
flight. The amount of spoil found in the 
enemy's camp was so great that Willet sent 



burgoyne's campaign. 43 

hastily for wagons to convey it away. The 
spoil thus captured, twenty wagon loads, con- 
sisted of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, 
stores, &c., five British standards, and the bag- 
gage and papers of most of the officers. For 
this brilliant exploit, congress directed that 
Colonel Willet should be presented with an 
elegant sword in the name of the United 
States. 

The siege of the fort still continued, and the 
situation of the garrison, though not desperate, 
beo-an to be somewhat critical. Colonel Wil- 
let and Major Stockwell readily undertook the 
hazardous mission of passing through the 
enemy's lines to arouse their countrymen to 
their relief. After creeping on their hands and 
knees through the enemy's encampment, and 
adopting various arts of concealment, they pur- 
sued their way through swampy and pathless 
woods until they arrived safely at German 
Flats, and from thence to the head quarters of 
General Schuyler, then commanding the Ame- 
rican army at Stillwater. 

General Arnold was immediately despatch- 
ed with a body of regular troops and volunteer 
militia raised for the occasion, to the relief of 
Col. Gansevoort. As he was advancing up the 



44 BUilGO^NE's CAMPAIGN. 

Mohawli, he captured a tory by the name of 
Hon Yost Schuyler, who being a sj3y was con- 
demned to death. Hon Yost was one of the 
coarsest and most ignorant men in the vaHey, 
appearing scarcely half removed from idiocy ; 
and yet there was no small share of shrewd- 
ness in his character. He was promised his 
life if he would go to the enemy, particularly 
the Indians, and alarm them by announcing 
that a large army of the Americans was in full 
march to destroy them. Hon Yost being ac- 
quainted with many of the Indians, gladly ac- 
cepted the offer ; one of his brothers was de- 
tained as a hostage for his fidelity, and w^as to 
be hung if he proved treacherous. A friendly 
Oneida Indian was let into the secret, and 
cheerfully embarked in the design. Upon 
Hon Yost's arrival he told a lamentable story 
of his being taken by Arnold, and of his es- 
cape from being hanged ; he showed them 
several shot holes in his coat, which he said 
were made by bullets fired at him when mak- 
ing his escape. Knowing the character of the 
Indians, he communicated his intelligence to 
them in a mysterious and imposing manner. 
When asked the number of men which Arnold 
had, he shook his head mysteriously, and point- 



burgoyne's campaign. 45 

ed upwards towards the leaves of the trees. 
These reports spread rapidly through the 
camp. Meantime the friendly Oneida arriv- 
ed with a belt and confirmed what Hon Yost 
had said, hinting that a bird had brought him 
intelligence of great moment. On his way to 
the camp of the beseigers he had fallen in with 
two or three Indians of his acquaintance, who 
readily engaged in furthering his design. — 
These sagacious fellows dropped into the camp 
as if by accident, they spoke of warriors in 
great numbers rapidly advancing against them. 
The Americans, it was stated did not wish to 
injure the Indians, but if they continued with 
the British they must all share one common 
fate. The Indians were thoroughly alarmed, 
and determined on an immediate flight, being 
already disgusted with the British service. 
Colonel St. Leger exhorted, argued and made 
enticing offers to the Indians to remain, but 
all in vain. He attempted to get them drunk, 
but .they refused to drink. When he deter- 
mined to go, he urged them to move in the 
rear of his army ; but they charged him with 
a design to sacrifice them to his safety. In a 
mixture of rage and despair, he broke up his 
encampment with such haste, that he left his 



46 burgovne's campaign. 

tents, cannon and stores to the besiegers. 
The friendly Oneida accompanied the flying 
army, and being naturally a wag, he engaged 
his companions, who were in the secret, to 
repeat at proper intervals the cry — '* They are 
coming /" " They are coming /" This ap- 
paling cry quickened the flight of the fugitives 
whenever it was heard. The soldiers threw 
away their packs ; and the commanders took 
care not to be in the rear. After much fatigue 
and mortification, they finally reached Oneida 
Lake, and there probably for the first time felt 
secure from the pursuit of their enemies. From 
this place St. Leger hastened with his scat- 
tered forces back to Oswego and thence to 
Montreal. 

Hon Yost, after accompanying the flying 
army as far as the estuary of Wood Creek, left 
them and retired to Fort Schuyler, (Stanwix,) 
and gave the first information to Colonel Gan- 
sevoort of the approach of Arnold. From 
thence he proceeded to German Flats, and on 
presenting himself at Fort Dayton his brother 
was discharged. He soon after rejoined the 
British standard, attaching himself to the forces 
under Sir John Johnson. 

Arnold, having quitted the main body, and 



47 

with a light armed detachment of only nine 
hundred men, set forward by forced marches 
towards the fortress, and arrived at the fort on 
the evening of the twenty-fourth of August, 
two days after the seige had been raised. He 
and his soldiers were welcomed by the garri- 
son with acknowledgements of deliverance, 
and the exultation of victory. 

The following incident, which took place 
near Oriskany, may be interesting to the read- 
er, as showing the unlimited confidence which 
might, in those days, be placed in the In- 
dians, when pledged to perform any certain 
act within their power. 

An old Indian named Han-Yerry, who dur- 
ing the war had acted with the royal party, 
and now resided at Oriskany in a log wigwam 
which stood on the bank of the creek, just 
back of the house until recently occupied by 
Mr. Charles Green, one day called at Judge 
White's with his wife and a mulatto woman 
who belonged to him, and who acted as his 
interpreter. After conversing with him a lit- 
tle while, the Indian asked him, 

"Are you my friend ?" 

" Yes," said he. 



48 burgoyne's campaign. 

" Well, then," said the Indian, '' do you be- 
lieve 1 am your friend ?" 

" Yes, Han-Yerry," replied he, " I believe 
you are." 

The Indian then rejoined, " Well, if you are 
my friend, and you believe I am your friend, I 
will tell you what I want, and then I shall 
know whether you speak true words." 

^« And what is that you want ?" said Mr. 
White. 

The Indian pointed to a little grandchild, 
the daughter of one of his sons, then between 
tw^o and three years old, and said, 

'' My squaw wants to take this pappoose 
home with us to stay to-night, and bring her 
home to-morrow : if you are my friend, you 
will now show me." 

The feelings of the grandfather at once up- 
rose in his bosom, and the child's mother start- 
ed with horror and alarm at the thought of 
entrusting her darling prattlet with the rude 
tenants of the forest. The question was full 
of interest. On the one hand, the necessity 
of placing unlimited confidence in the savage, 
and entrusting the welfare and the life of his 
grandchild with him; on the other the 
certain enmity of a man of influence and con- 



49 

sequence in his nation, and one who had been 
the open enemy of his countrymen in their re- 
cent struggle. But he made the decision with 
a sagacity which showed that he properly esti- 
mated the character of the person he was deal- 
ing with. He believed that by placing im- 
plicit confidence in him, he should command 
the sense of honor which seems peculiar to the 
uncontaminated Indian. He told him to take 
the child ; and as the mother, scarcely suffer- 
ing it to be parted from her, relinquished it 
into the hands of the old man's wife, he sooth- 
ed her fears with his assurances of confidence 
in their promises. That night, however, was 
a long one ; and during the whole of the next 
morning, many and often were the anxious 
glances cast upon the pathway leading from 
Oriskany, if possible to discover the Indians 
and their little charge, upon their return to its 
home. But no Indians came in sight. It at 
length became high noon ; all a mother's fears 
were aroused ; she could scarcely be restrained 
from rushing in pursuit of her loved one. But 
her father represented to her the gross indig- 
nity which a suspicion of their intentions would 
arouse in the breast of the chief; and half 
frantic though she was, she was restrained. 

5 



60 burgoyne's campaign^ 

The afternoon slowly wore away, and still no- 
thing was seen of her child. The sun had 
nearly reached the western horizon, and the 
mother's heart had swollen beyond further en- 
durance, when the ibrms of the Indian chief and 
his wife, bearing upon her shoulders their little 
visiter, greeted its mother's vision. The dress 
which the child had worn from home had been 
removed, and in its place its Indian friends 
had substituted a complete suit of Indian gar- 
ments, so as completely to metamorphose it 
into a little squaw. The sequel of this adven- 
ture was the establishment of a most ardent 
attachment and regard on the part of the In- 
dian and his friends for the white settlers. 
The child, now Mrs. Eells of Missouri, the 
widow of the late Nathaniel Eells of Whites^ 
boro, still remembers some incidents occurring 
on the night of her stay at the wigwam, and 
the kindness of her Indian hostess. 

Another — which occurred in relation to the 
siege of Fort Stanwix, and w hich evinced the 
fortitude and prowess of General Schuyler, in 
moments of difficulty. 

When Colonel Willett and his companion 
l^ieutenant Stockwell left the fort and got be- 



burgoyme's campaign. 51 

yond the investing party, which was not done 
without passing through sleeping groups of 
savages, who lay with their arms at their side, 
they crossed the river, and found some horses 
running wild in the woods. They were soon 
mounted, and with the aid of their bark bri- 
dles, stripped from the young trees, they made 
considerable progress on their journey. It is 
well known that they reached Stillwater vil- 
lage, and begged a reinforcement. General 
Schujler, who then quartered in the house of 
Dirck Swart, Esq., now standing at the foot 
of the hill, and occupied by Mrs. Williams, 
called a council of his officers, and asked their 
advice. It is perhaps not generally known 
that he was opposed by them. As he walked 
about in the greatest anxiety, urging them to 
come to his opinion, he overheard some of them 
saying, " he means to weaken the army." 
The emotions of the veteran were always vio- 
lent at the recollection of this charge. At the 
instant when he heard the remark, he found 
that he had bitten a pipe, which he had been 
smoking, into several pieces, without being 
conscious of what he had done. Indignantly 
he exclaimed, " Gentlemen, I shall take the 
responsibility upon myself; where is the briga- 



62 BtRGOlTNE's CAMFaIGH, 

dier that will take command of the relief? 1 
shall beat up for volunteers to-morrow." The 
brave, the gallant, the ill-fated Arnold, started 
up with his characteristic quickness, and offer- 
ed to take command of the expedition. In the 
morning the drum beat for volunteersj and two 
hundred hardy fellows capable of withstanding 
great fatigue, offered their services, and were 
accepted. The result of his efforts is well 
known ; a stratagem, as before mentioned, was 
played off upon the Tories and Indians, which 
left St. Leger no alternative but a hasty re- 
treat. To General Schuyler's promptness and 
fearlessness, therefore, due credit should be 
given. 

The retreat of St. Leger, with the success 
of the American arms at Bennington, restored 
hope and animation. Tryon county, smiling 
through her tears, obeyed with alacrity the 
call to reinforce General Gates in the month 
of September following. Her militia mounted 
on horseback, some without saddles, others 
without bridles, sallied forth. If as uncouth 
in their appearance, they were equally as zeal- 
ous, as the knight of La Mancha. 

It is not our province to inquire into the po- 
licy or propriety of the change of commanders 



burgoyne's campaign. 55 

of the northern army. General Schuyler was 
always a favorite with the inhabitants of New 
York. Those few survivors, who have come 
down to us, the relics of his day, still cherish 
his name in grateful remembrance. Tryon 
county owed much to his vigilance and atten- 
tion. He rejoiced with her when she rejoiced, 
and wept with her when she wept. Alive to 
her exposed situation, he was always ready to 
afford relief so far as it could be done con- 
sistently. 

Another — in relation to the same siege may 
be interesting to the reader. 

A man by the name of Baxter, who resided 
in the vicinity of the fort, being a disaffected 
man, had been sent to Albany, to be watched 
by the committee of safety. Two sons of his 
remained behind, and were extremely indus- 
trious, taking every opportunity to keep their 
farm in order, notwithstanding its being in the 
vicinity of the hostile parties. They were so 
successful, and so little disturbed by the Brit- 
ish, that the Americans began to suspect that 
they were on too good terms with the enemy. 
Their father's character kept up the suspicion. 
One day, as it subsequently appeared, one of 



64 burgoyne's campaign. 

the sons, who was working with a wheel 
plough, in cutting his furrows, would every 
few minutes approach a fence which was be- 
tween him and the enemy. After several 
turns, as he was making his last cut across the 
field, he felt his hands suddenly grasped with 
violence. Impelled by a natural desire to es- 
cape, he jumped forward, and seizing his 
plough cleaver, he turned on his antagonist, 
who was an Indian, and felled him to the 
ground. But a second approached, and with 
equal dexterity and nerve he dealt a second 
blow, which levelled the savage. Both were 
stunned, their heads being too obvious to es- 
cape the terrible blow of the plough cleaver. 
As they lay on the ground, he alternately 
struck them over their heads with all his might, 
and then setting his horses clear from the 
plough, he came to the fort and told them 
what had happened. His tale was not be- 
lieved, and when he offered to lead them to the 
spot, they suspected further treachery. They 
detained him to abide the event, and sent out 
a detachment to ascertain how the fact was ; 
and these found two savages lying dead at the 
place he mentioned. This brave feat procured 
the release of the father, and indeed rescued 



BURGOYNfi'S CAMPAlGiN. 55 

the whole family from the imputation of tory- 
!sm forever. 

Another — respecting Abraham D. Quack- 
enboss, as being connected with the battle of 
Oriskany, may also be interesting. 

Abraham D. Quackenboss, resided in the 
Mohawk country on the south side of the river, 
at the breaking out of the war. Living as it 
were among the Indians, he spoke their lan- 
guage as well as he did his own. Among 
ihem he had a friend, named Bronkahorse — 
who, though an Indian, had been his play- 
mate, and they had served in the French war 
together under Sir William Johnson. When 
the revolutionary troubles came on, Bronkahorse 
called upon Quackenboss, and endeavored to 
persuade him to espouse the cause of the King 
— assuring him that their Great Father could 
never be conquered. Quackenboss refused, 
and they parted. The Indian, however, as- 
suring him that they parted as friends, al- 
though, since they had fought in one war to- 
gether he had hoped they might do so in the 
other. Mr. Quackenboss saw no more of his 
friend until the battle of Oriskany. During 
the thickest of the fight he heard his name 



56 burgoyine's campaign. 

called in the well known voice of Bronka- 
horse, from behind a large tree near by. He 
was himself sheltered by a tree ; but in look-- 
ing out for the warriors he saw his Indian 
friend. The latter now importuned Ctuacken- 
boss to surrender, assuring him of kind treat- 
ment and protection, but also assuring him 
unless he did so, he would inevitably be killed. 
Quackenboss refused, and the Indian there- 
upon attempted to kill him. For a moment 
they watched each other endeavoring to obtaio 
the first aud best chance of a shot» The In- 
dian at length fired, and his ball struck the 
tree, but had nearly been fataL Springing 
from his covert upon the Indian, Quackenboss 
fired, and his friend Bronkaborse fell dead on 
the spot. It was the belief of Mr. Quacken- 
boss that the loss of the enemy during that 
battle equalled that of Herkimer's command. 
The latter suffered the most severely in the 
early part of the engagement — the enemy in 
the latter part. 

About the time of the investment of Fort 
Stanwix the following incident occurred : 

Captain Gregg went with two of his soldiers 
into the woods a short distance to shoot pi- 



57 

geons ; a party of Indians started suddenly 
from their concealment in the bushes, shot 
them all down, tomahawked and scalped them 
and left them for dead. The Captain after 
some time revived, and perceiving his men 
were killed, himself robbed of his scalp, and 
suffering extreme agony from his numerous 
wounds, made an effort to move, and laying 
his bleeding head on one of the dead bodies, 
expected soon to expire. A faithful dog who 
had accompanied him manifested great agita- 
tion, and in the tenderest manner possible lick- 
ed his wounds, which afforded him great relief 
from exquisite distress^ He then directed the 
dog, as if a human being, to go in search of 
some person to come to his relief. The ani- 
mal with every appearance of anxiety, ran 
about a mile, where he met with two men a 
fishing in the river, and endeavored in the 
most moving manner, by whining and piteous 
cries to prevail on them to follow into the 
w^oods. Struck with the singular conduct of 
the dog, they were induced to follow him part 
of the way ; but fearing some decoy, or dan- 
ger, they were about to return, when the dog 
fixing his eyes on them renewed his entreaties 
by his cries, and taking hold of their clothes 



58 burgoyne's campaign. 

with his teeth, prevailed on them to follow him 
to the fatal spot. Such was the remarkable 
fidelity and sagacity of this animal. Captain 
Gregg was immediately carried to the fort, 
where his wounds were dressed. He was a 
most frightful spectacle; the whole of his scalp 
was removed ; in two places on the fore part 
of his head the tomahawk had penetrated the 
skull ; there was a wound on his back with 
the same instrument, besides a wound in his 
side, and another through his arm by a musket 
ball. This unfortunate man, after suffering 
extremely for a long time, finally recovered 
and appeared to be well satisfied in having his 
scalp restored to him, though uncovered with 
hair- 
About the same time three young girls who 
were engaged in picking berries were fired 
upon by the Indians. Two of them were kill- 
ed and scalped, and the third made her escape, 
wounded by two balls shot through her shoul- 
der. The foregoing statements need no com- 
ment. The men who employed such instru- 
ments, and who stimulated them by promises 
and rewards, have received the just execration 
of an indignant people. 



BURGOrNE's CAMPAIGN, 59 



CHAPTER HI. 

During this interval, Burgoyne exerted him- 
self with extreme diligence in opening a pas- 
sage from Fort Ann to Fort Edward. But 
notwithstanding the ardor with which the 
whole army engaged in the work, their pro- 
gress was extremely slow ; so formidable were 
the obstacles which nature as well as art had 
thrown in their way. Besides having to re- 
move the fallen trees with which the Ameri- 
cans had obstructed the roads, they had no 
less than forty bridges* to construct, and ma- 
ny others to repair. Finally the-army encoun- 
tered so many impediments in measuring this 
inconsiderable space, that it could not arrive 
on the banks of the Hudson, near Fort Ed- 
ward, until the twenty-eighth of July. Gene- 
ral Schuyler, deeming his forces insufficient, 
in the present state of the fort, to oppose so 
powerful an army, and being apprehensive that 
Colonel St. Leger, after the reduction of Fort 

* These bridges, especially across the marshes, were 
principally constructed of logs laid parallel and conti- 
guous to one another, and covered with evergreen 
boughs ; many of the logs remain entire even to this day. 



60 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

Schujler, might descend by the left bank of 
the Mohawk to the Hudson and thus intercept 
his retreat, abandoned Fort Edward, and re- 
tired down the river to Stillwater where he 
remained a few days and then proceeded on to 
Van Schaick's Island* near Waterford, where 
he encamped with his army, and threw up 
numerous fortifications on that and Hauver Is- 
land. The left wing under General Arnold, 
and composed of two brigades and Colonel 
Morgan's rifle corps, was stationed at Loudon's 
ferry, on the south bank of the Mohawk, five 
miles above its confluence with the Hudson, 
to prevent Burgoyne from crossing at that 
place, should his march be continued thus far 
towards Albany. That event, however, was 
not destined to happen. 

* As a visit to " Bemis's Heights'* has become a sub- 
ject of increasing interest, and as the question, among 
numerous others, is frequently asked by people from 
all parts of the Union, who are not acquainted with the 
facts, why the American army, while under the com- 
mand of General Schuyler, encamped on and fortified 
Van Schaick's Island, with any expectation of oppos- 
ing Burgoyne in his march to Albany ; I will, for the 
information of the public generally, give the following 
explanation : 

At that time, there were no bridges across either the 



61 

At the same time the Americans evacuated 
Fort George, having previously burned their 
vessels upon the lake, and interrupted in va- 
rious places the road that leads thence to Fort 
Edward. The route from Ticonderoga to this 
fortress by Lake George was thus left entirely 
open by the Americans. The English, upon 
iheir arrival on the Hudson river, which had 
been so long the object of their wishes, and 

Hudson or Mohawk, nor were there ferries as plenty as 
they have been since ; the only ferry on the Mohawk, 
between the Hudson river and Schenectady was Lou- 
don's, about five miles above its mouth, where Arnold 
was posted with the left wing of the American army, 
for the purpose of preventing a passage at that place* 
There was another ferry near Halfmoon Point, (Water- 
ford), accross the Hudson, but that would only have 
been leading him out of the way on the opposite side 
of the river ; besides, the conveying so large an army 
over that stream in a common scow-boat, and at the 
same time subject to be opposed by the Americans who 
lay near by, would have rendered such an undertaking 
impracticable. Tho?e being the facts, his course neces- 
sarily lay acres the " Sprouts," as they were called, or 
mouths of the Mohawk, which, except in time of fresh- 
ets, were fordable, and by four of which that stream 
enters the Hudson ; the second and third forming 
Van Schaick's Island, across which the road passed, 
and was the usual route at that time. 



S2 burgoyne's campaign. 

which had been at length obtained at the ex- 
pense of so many trials and hardships^ were 
seized with a delirium of joy, and persuaded 
themselves that victory could now no longer 
escape them. But ere it was long, their bril- 
liant hopes were succeeded by anxiety and 
embarrassment. 

On the near approach of Burgoyne w4th so 
powerful, and as yet successful an army, with 
his horde of unrestrained savages, who were 
continually in advance and on his flanks, 
prowling about the country, plundering, mur- 
dering, and scalping all who refused loyalty to 
the British king; the inhabitants on both 
sides of the river in the wildest consternation 
and alarm, fled in every direction. The horrors 
of war, however mitigated by the laws and usa- 
ges of civilization, are at all times sufficiently 
terrific; but when to these the fierce cruelties of 
a cloud of savages are superadded, those only 
who are familiar with an American border 
warfare, can form an adeqate opinion of its 
atrocities. In one place a long cavalcade of 
ox carts occasionally intermixed with wagons, 
filled with all kinds of furniture hurriedly 
thrown in, and not often selected by the own- 
ers with reference to their use or value, on oc- 



CAMPAIGN, 63 

casions of such alarm, were stretched for some 
distance along the road; while in another might 
be seen a number on horsback, and here and 
there two mounted at once on a steed panting 
under the weight of a double load, closely fol- 
lowed by a crowd of pedestrians, and some 
perhaps weeping mothers, with a child or two 
screaming in their arms or on their backs, trudg- 
ing along with fearful and hurried step. These 
found great difficulty in keeping up with the 
rapid flight of their mounted friends. Here 
and there would be seen some humane person 
assisting the more unfortunate, by relieving 
them of their burthens, with which they were 
encumbered ; but generally a principle of self- 
ishness prevented much interchange of friend- 
ly offices— every one for himself was the com- 
mon cry. 

To those who now sit quietly under their own 
shady bowers, or by the fireside long endeared 
by tranquility and happiness, it is left to ima- 
gine, with what feelings they hastened to aban- 
don their homes and their all, as it were, and 
fly for safety, they knew not whither. The men 
of this generation can never know what were 
the sorrows of those fathers that saw their 
children exposed to dangers and death, and 



64 liUiiGOYiNE'S CAMPAlGNx 

what the agonies of those kind mothers, of 
whom my own respected mother was one, who 
pressed their offspring to their bosoms in the 
constant apprehension of seeing them torn 
from their embraces, to become the victims of 
savage cruelty. And it is impossible with 
sufficient force to describe the appalling dis- 
tress that many families experienced at that 
moment of peril and alarm. 

Burgoyne, always moved with great pre- 
caution, was always seeking intelligence, and 
if ever a general was well served by his scouts, 
or an invading army assisted by disaffected in- 
habitants, his was. Rank toryism and infa- 
mous venality fought against us on his side ; 
and if we had not been sustained by the Lord 
of battles, we should have sunk under the 
many difficulties that beset us. And it is a 
well known fact, that the ancestors of some 
respectable families in this vicinity, were ac- 
tively engaged in their secret exertions in fa- 
vor of Burgoyne. 

Among the numerous acts of savage cruel- 
ties committed by the Indians, was the tragi- 
cal death of Miss Jane McCrea ; an event 
which drew tears from every eye, and might 
furnish, if not too horrible, an affecting subject 



burgoyne's campaign. 65 

for the painter or dramatist ; and which con- 
tributed soon after in a powerful degree, to ex- 
cite the mass of the Americans to rise against 
the British army. The following account of 
this tragedy, received through the politeness 
of Mr. William T. Baker, of Sandy Hill, cor- 
responds, in all the essential particulars, with 
the often repeated accounts given to me by 
my much respected parents, who were fami- 
liarly acquainted with Miss McCrea, and who 
received their information from those who 
were eye witnesses to the scene. 

The names of David Jones and Jane M'Crea 
are indelibly impressed upon the page of Ame- 
rican liberty, and the tragic fate of the latter 
forms an interesting and melancholy incident 
of the memorable wars of the Revolution. It 
has accordingly furnished a fruitful theme for 
fancy and " poetic imaginings," as well as for 
the graver and more authentic details of histo- 
ry. It has occurred to me that, after so much 
poetry and fable, the public would be grati- 
fied with a plain narrative of the truth of the 
lamentable transaction. This 1 think the more 
desirable, inasmuch as the published histories 
of this tragedy are both defective, and in some 
essential particulars incorrect. I have there- 

6 



66 burgoyne's campaign. 

fore obtained from Caleb Baker, Esq., a resi- 
dent of the village of Sandy Hill, who was 
born where he now resides, five years before 
the Revolution, (in April, 1771) a minute and 
authentic relation of this Indian scene, with 
many of the attending circumstances. Mr. C. 
Baker was not an eye witness of " the catas- 
trophe," for he was then a lad of six years of 
age, and was at the time at Stillwater, to 
which place his father, Albert Baker, Esq., 
had removed his family, on the 12th of July, 
1777, soon after the evacuation of Ticonde- 
roga by the American army under General St. 
Clair, and on the 15th of the same month he 
returned to his house at Sandy Hill, (leaving 
his family at Stillwater) which stood at the 
southern extremity of the present village, just 
two miles north of Fort Edward, and remain- 
ed there till the 26th July, the day previous to 
Jane's murder, and fled to Fort Edward with 
the retreating fragments of scouts and detach- 
ments from its feeble garrison. From that 
place, then in plain view of the scene, he saw 
Jane shot from her horse by the Indians. On 
that day no one dared venture from the fort, 
but at early dawn of the morning of the 28th, 
Mr. A. Baker, in company with a file of men 



burgotne's campaign. 67 

from the fort, went in search of the body of 
Jane, and found it naked and mutilated, with- 
in about twenty rods of the spot where they 
had seen her fall the day before, together with 
the body of an American officer, both stripped 
and scalped, and rolled down the declivity of 
the hill, against a large pine tree which had 
fallen longitudinally along the slope of the ra- 
vine, and partially covered with brush. They 
were borne immediately to the fort which the 
Americans evacuated that morning, and a 
small detachment preceded the retreating Ame- 
ricans, with the two bodies, to the right bank 
of a small creek about three miles below Fort 
Edward, in time to bury them in a rude and 
hasty grave before the main body came up. 
Mr. Baker accompanied the retreating Ameri- 
cans to Stillwater, and then related to his fa- 
mily and friends, among the number of whom 
were the author's parents, the melancholy fate 
of poor Jane, and all he had seen and done. 
This relation has been a thousand times re- 
peated by Mr. Baker, (and perhaps as often 
by the author's parents) whose memory is like 
a book, and as faithful and true as the record. 
Neither Mr. C. Baker nor his father, A. Ba- 
ker, found the murdered Jane while still 



68 burgoyne's campaign. 

** breathing," nor was she buried under the 
celebrated pine tree yet standing and common- 
ly shown as marking the spot where she was 
butchered. Nor was she found by her lover, a 
"reeking corse," and transported in a baggage 
wagon to Moses-kiil, and there buried by the 
orders of the British " general officers," as 
stated by a correspondent of the " Mirror." 
Nor were the Indians surprised by an Ameri- 
can scout crossing the river within sixty or 
eighty rods of them, and in their hurry and 
trepidation induced to murder her. There was 
no such scout. Every American not under 
British protection, that could reach the fort, had 
already fled to it, and none dared leave it on 
that day. There were no American troops or 
militia on the west side of the river, and the 
fort was on the east bank. There were no 
Americans, therefore, to cross from the west 
to the east bank toward the Indians. The In- 
dians had the wilderness and the field alone 
to themselves. 

Miss M'Crea was the daughter of a New- 
Jersey clergyman, who on the death of her 
mother married a second wife, and Jane came 
to reside with her brother, John M'Crea, who 
had already settled himself some five or six 



burgoyne's campaign. 69 

years before the war, on the western bank of 
the Hudson, about six miles below Fort Ed- 
ward. This whole country was then an un- 
known wilderness, and Mr. M'Crea, the bro- 
ther of Jane, was one of the pioneer settlers. 
Five miles farther up the river, and on the 
same bank, and within one mile of Fort Ed- 
ward, was also located the Widow Jones, with 
a family of six sons, who also emigrated from 
New-Jersey some few years before the war. 
These sons were Jonathan, John, Dunham, 
Daniel, David (our hero) and Solomon. Three 
of these were already married and settled in 
the adjoining towns. John in Kingsbury, 
near three miles north of Sandy Hill, in what 
is now called Moss street. I mention this as 
marking the spot near which there was consi- 
derable skirmishing between the advance of 
the British army and Indians and the flying 
Americans, where several of the latter were 
killed on the 26th of July aforesaid. A very 
small part of the country was at this time 
thinly settled with emigrants, some from New 
Jersey, as before stated, and some from New 
England. Feeling their own feeble and de- 
fenceless condition, and what they deemed the 
irresistible power of Great Britain, with the 



70 burgoyne's campaign. 

exception of the New England emigrants, and 
Mr. A. Baker, these scattered settlers were 
tories and loyalists, and on the breaking out of 
the Revolution some fled to Canada, and many 
who remained accepted British protection on 
the approach of Burgoyne's army. Among 
many others, the Joneses proved to be tories, 
and fled to Canada immediately after Bur- 
goyne's capture. In the fall of 1776, Jona- 
than and David raised a company of fifty or 
sixty men, under the pretext of reinforcing the 
American garrison at Ticonderoga, but they 
passed by the American fort and joined the 
British post at Crown Point, about fifteen 
miles farther down the lake. In the winter, 
Jonathan and David repaired to Canada, and 
obtained commissions in the British service — 
Jonathan as captain and David as lieutenant 
in the same company ; and they accompanied 
Burgoyne's invading army as pilots and pioneers 
against their own country. 

Miss Jane M'Crea was at this time about 
twenty-three years of age, and David Jones 
somewhat older. It is supposed that they had 
been acquainted in New- Jersey. At any rate 
an intimacy had grown up between the young 
folks in the solitude of the wilderness, from 



burgoyne's campaign. 71 

which common report had inferred reciprocal 
love and the usual implied contract. On the 
twenty-sixth of July, JBurgoyne had penetrated 
with his main army through the wilderness 
and clay of Kingsbury, and his advance under 
General Frazer was encamped on a small ele- 
vation about a mile north of the house of John 
Jones before mentioned. The skirmish, as 
before stated took place this day, and the out- 
posts and scouting parties of the Americans 
were driven in and sought refuge in Fort Ed- 
ward, from the tomahawk and scalping knife 
of the Indians. By this time it would seem 
that Jane was somewhat apprised of the proxi- 
mity of her lover. But all this is matter of 
inference suggested by her movements. On 
this day Jane came from her brother's resi- 
dence to the house of Peter Freel (" the old 
Baldwin house,") who lived close under the 
walls of the fort, and remained there the suc- 
ceeding night. The next morning, after break- 
fast, she repaired to the house of Mrs. M'Niel, 
(afterwards Mrs. Campbell,) own cousin and 
intimate acquaintance of General Frazer, and 
who had recently emigrated from Scotland. 
This house stood about eighty rods north of 
the fort, at the point of junction with the main 



72 burgoyne's campaign. 

road, to a foot walk leading in a direct line 
from the fort to an old breastwork on the first 
hill — overlooking the fort from the foot of the 
second hill. There was a marsh separated 
from the river by ground somewhat elevated, 
and joining its eastern bank, on which Fort 
Edward was erected. On the morning of the 
27th our people in the fort sent out a recon- 
noitering party of about fifty men, under the 
commannd of Lieutenant Palmer, to ascertain 
the position and watch the motions of the 
enemy. They seem to have proceeded on to 
the plain about a mile north of the fort, where, 
on entering a deep ravine near the river, they 
fell into an ambuscade, or met a party of In- 
dians of about two hundred, and immedi- 
ately fled for their lives towards the fort. 
The Indians pursued and shot down and scalp- 
ed eighteen of them. The Americans rushed 
out of the plain and precipitated themselves 
down the hill and across the marsh, on the 
foot walk above mentioned, and such as es- 
caped, returned to the fort. Near the brow 
of the hill, the Indians shot down the com- 
mander of the American party, and the last 
private fell upon the causeway adjoining the 
foot walk aforesaid. Six of the Indians rush- 



burgoyne's campaign. 73 

ed forward across the said marsh to the house 
of Mrs. M'Neil, (Campbell) where Jane had 
already repaired, as before stated. They seiz- 
ed them both and hurried them back, retrace- 
ing their steps, and rejoined the main body at 
the foot of the hill. There they placed Jane 
on a horse, which seems to have been provid- 
ed for the occasion, and reascended the hill. 
All their motions were intently watched from 
the fort, and at this point, the discharge of 
some rifles were heard, and Jane was seen to 
fall from her horse. The operation of the 
tomahawk and scalping knife were quickly 
performed, and the body soon dragged forward 
out of sight of the fort. This scene was en- 
acted about mid-day, and the next morning 
the bodies of Jane and the American officer 
were recovered and disposed of in the manner 
I have already related. 

The cause of this unprovoked and barbarous 
Indian butchery, has never been satisfactorily 
explained, and has always been, and ever will 
remain the subject of various and discordant 
conjecture. 

About one hundred of the Indians were of 
the St. Regis tribe, and another hundred of 
the St. Aux Geest, or some other tribe ; and 

7 



74 burqoyne's campaign. 

here the two parties quarrelled about the ho- 
nor or profits, or both, of taking her into 
camp ; one leader shot her from the horse, and 
the other scalped her. From the necessity of the 
ease, we must take their own account of the 
matter, if they ever rendered any, or that of Mrs. 
M'Neil, (Campbell), whose horror and alarm 
must have incapacited her for just observation. 
There is no evidence that she ever gave any 
explanation of the transaction. To her, it 
seems, they were indeed rough and ungenteel 
gallants. In their route back to the camp, they 
pursued the track of the lumber road, leading 
from Kingsbury to the fort, about a mile east 
of the village of Sandy Hill. On this road, 
distant two miles from the fort, there lived 
William Griffin, a tory, who had a protection 
from Burgoyne. The Indians stopped at this 
house, exhibited their scalps and said they 
" had killed Jenny." Among the rest they 
displayed her scalp. They had Mrs. Campbell 
(M'Neil with them, in a state of perfect nudi- 
ty, with the exception of her chemise^ and 
when they departed they took Grifiin with 
them, but offered no other violence. This 
part of the story is furnished by Sal. Griffin, 
as she was then and is still called ^ who was 



burgoyne's campaign. 76 

then a girl of twelve years of age, living with 
her father. She still lives in or near the vil- 
lage of Sandy Hill, and is " the female at- 
tendant" spoken of by the correspondent of 
the Mirror. But the young ladies of this then 
wilderness had no female " attendants," and 
on this occasion, poor Jane had no female 
companion-, but old Mrs. M'Neil, (Campbell) 
The Indians delivered her in the condition I 
have described, to her cousin General Frazer, 
who was much perplexed and embarrased to 
provide a suitable robe for so corpulent a lady. 
The Joneses are said to have deserted Bur- 
goyne before the capture, and David is relat- 
ed to have died in Canada about three years 
after of a broken heart. It is also said, and 
probably with much truth, by those who pre- 
tend to authentic information, that he rushed 
into the midst of the battle of the 19th of 
September on Bemis's Heights, and was there 
slain. 

The following suggestions to this narrative 
may tend to elucidate the transactions related : 
The Indians, supposed by Mr. Baker to be dif- 
ferent tribes, were but different sections of the 
same tribe ; occupying the two branches of the 
St. Lawrence at the confluence of the St. Regis 



76 

river. St. Regis is the English pronuncia^ 
tion, and St. Aux Geest the Yankee sound 
of the French pronunciation of the same name* 
The efforts to account for the murder of Miss 
M'Crea, by ferocious savages^ furious with the 
recent onslaught, and whose keen appetites 
were sharpened by fresh blood, are palpable 
absurdities ; and imply a total forgetfulness of 
their known rule of warfare, and indiscrim- 
inate and unsparing slaughter. The induce- 
ments to strip and plunder Mrs. M'Neil, — 
(Campbell) were sufficient to account for the 
butchery of Miss M'Crea. The idea of Jones 
sending an Indian scout for Miss M'Crea is 
preposterous. It was not only ungallant, but 
wholly unnecessary for her safety. All who 
were so disposed, received protection from 
Burgoyne, and remained unmolested by the 
British or Indians. The Whig Americans had 
enough to do to take care of themseles, and 
had neither license nor inclination to punish 
the loyally of the majority. Jones knew that 
Fort Edward would be evacuated on the ap- 
proach of the British army, and Jane would 
have been found safe at Mrs. M'NeiFs or at 
her brother's house. It is probable, therefore, 
that Jane intended to avail herself of the pro- 



burgoyne's campaign. 77 

tection of Mrs. M'Neil, whose loyalty and 
consanguinity were ample guaranties of her 
safety, and came to the house for the purpose ; 
and both she and the old lady would have await- 
ed there, the approach of General Frazer, had 
it not been for the unfortunate movement be- 
tween the American scouts and the marauding 
Indian party on the morning of her death. 
The horse was more probably stolen than pro- 
vided for Jane's comfort or convenience ; and 
had they been sent to the house of Mrs. M' 
Neil, General Frazer would have been made 
acquainted with the design, and would have 
provided for her as well as for Jane. The 
place of the rencontre too, forbids the pre- 
sumption, that this Indian party was sent to 
escort these two ladies to the British camp. 
They were lurking in ambuscade, in a deep 
ravine, some distance from the highway, be- 
tween that and the river where they had been 
seen early that morning, by a Tory who lived 
near the spot, for the very purpose, no doubt, 
of intercepting any American scouts or vedets. 
They pressed forward to the house of Mrs. 
M'Niel, because they were near it ; and it was 
out of reach of the guns of the garrison, more 
probably for plunder or the scalps of the flying 



78 burgoyne's campaign. 

Americans, (some of whom they might have 
supposed to have taken refuge in the house) 
than for the ladies v\^hom they carried off and 
treated as prisoners. 

Miss M'Crea's name is inscribed on the west 
side of the pine tree before mentioned, with 
the date 1777, and no traveller passes this spot 
without spending a plaintive moment in con- 
templating the untimely and tragical fate of 
youth and loveliness, and dropping a silent 
tear in token of the inward workings of a sen- 
sitive mind. 

At the time of her death she was about 
twenty-three years of age, of midling stature, 
finely formed, dark hair, and uncommonly 
beautiful. About the same time, Mr. John 
Allen, of the town of Argyle, his wife, three 
children, and three negroes (the property of 
his father-in-law) were all murdered by the 
Indians. The negroes were sent for the pur- 
pose of assisting Mr. Allen in the harvest field, 
and it is supposed they were all murdered while 
at dinner. Allen and his father-in-law, Mr. 
Gilmer, were both Tories ; this created a great 
alarm among the Tories of Argyle, and they 
flocked in great numbers to Sandy-Hill to soli- 
cit from Burgoyne protection against the ma- 



burgoyne's campaign. 79 

rauding savages. Upon which General Frazer 
made the following remark, " It is a conquer- 
ed country, and we must wink at such things." 
The Tories remonstrated, and Burgoyne hav- 
ing issued orders that those who held protec- 
tions from him must not be molested, a num- 
ber of the Indians left him and returned to 
Canada. 

General Gates in a letter addressed to Ge- 
neral Burgoyne, thus spoke of the cases above 
Cited : — Miss M'Crea, a young lady, lovely to 
the sight, of virtuous character and amiable 
disposition, engaged to an officer of your army, 
was, with other women and children, taken 
out of a house at Fort Edward, carried into 
the woods, and there scalped and mangled in 
the most shocking manner. Two parents, 
with their six children, were treated with the 
same inhumanity, while quietly resting in their 
own happy and peaceful dwelling. The mise- 
rable fate of Miss M'Crea was particularly 
aggravated, by being dressed to receive her pro- 
mised husband ; but met her murderers, employ- 
ed by you. Upwards of one hundred men, wo- 
men and children have perished by the hand 
of the ruffians, to whom, it is asserted, you 
have paid the price of blood. 



80 burgoyjse's campaign. 

The British commander, in his reply to Ge- 
neral Gates, labored at some length, to make 
the best of his case, and, among other things, 
had the effrontery to say, that excepting the 
foregoing instance, his intelligence respecting 
the cruelty of the Indians was false. 

The effect of the incidents we have been 
detailing, and other recitals of savage crueltieSj 
not all, as General Burgoyne represented, 
without foundation, was extensive and power- 
ful. The cry of vengence was universal; and 
a spirit was aroused which proved of speedy 
and great advantage to the American arms. 

Often, when a boy, have I sat long and si- 
lent, in the family group, by the side of my 
much respected, now sainted mother, listening 
to her tales of alarm, suffering and distress, 
that pervaded this part of the country, in those 
troublous times ; and the dangers to which she 
herself had frequently been exposed. And often 
while reciting the tragic fate of her friend and 
acquaintance, Miss Jane M'Crea, and other 
equally savage cruelties, have I seen the " big 
tear " roll from her glistening eye and trickle 
down her cheek, glowing with the emotions of 
her heart. And even to this day, when I reflect 
on those scenes of savage cruelty, and with 



81 

what emotion thej were then recited, a sjm-' 
pathetic tear will insensibly steal from my eye, 
and I am involuntarily led to exclaim O ! my 
mother ! my much loved mother ! could I have 
been present to have witnessed those scenes of 
danger and alarm to which thou hast been ex- 
posed, and from which thou barely escaped 
with thy life, with one arm would I have en- 
circled that brow, around which the Indian's 
tomahawk thrice was brandished, preparatory 
to the fatal stroke ; and with the other would 
I have dashed to the earth, that ferocious sa- 
vage, whose scalping-knife, reeking with the 
blood of thy friends, was already drawn to 
execute on thee its threatened deed ! But a 
mightier arm was interposed for thy protection 
— He in whom thou thou trusted was there — 
for at the critical moment, when there seemed 
no possible escape, a file of men approached, 
as if specially and providentially directed — the 
sharp crack of rifles was heard in the distance 
— the fatal balls were sped — two cruel savages 
fell dead at thy feet, and thou alone, the joy 
of thy friends, wast saved, to relate the sad 
story of thy three murdered companions ! 

'Tis faith thus wrought, whose fearful mysteries 
Yield e'en weak woman strenofih for deeds like these. 



82 burgoyne's campaign. 

It may be supposed from my relation of so 
many of the numerous scenes, and some of 
them heart-rending, through which my own 
friends have passed, that they were the only 
persons who suffered in those trying times. 
My intention is not to be so understood, nor 
do I suppose that the many trials through 
which they passed, were greater than those of 
many others; yet the relation of them, by be- 
ing often repeated, have become more familiar, 
and consequently better enables me to give a 
correct account of them. 

The subsequent tragic scene, though I do 
not now recollect all the particulars, I will re- 
count in substance, as follows : — 

My step-grandfather, had been very ac- 
tive among the Indians and Tories, and un- 
derstood their manner of warfare so well, that 
he was often selected to head volunteer parties, 
who went in pursuit of them, in their maraud- 
ing expeditions, and was generally very suc- 
cessful ; for which they owed him a grudge, 
and tried many ways to decoy and take him ; 
but he had always eluded them. 

It happened on a time when it was supposed 
there were no Indians in the vicinity, and the 
inhabitants all felt secure, that my father was 



burgoyne's campaign. 83 

gone from home on business with the commit- 
tee of safety, leaving my grandfather, grand- 
mother, and mother, at home alone — they all 
occupying the same house at the time. Soon 
after dark, a little dog which they had, and 
which was then in the house, for some mo- 
ments seemed to express considerable uneasi- 
ness, and at last ran to the door, and with a 
kind of howl, or unusual expression, immedi- 
ately turned and looked up, with much seem- 
ing concern, to my grandfather, whose keen 
perception in a moment led him to exclaim, 
'* Indians !" He immediately caught his rifle, 
which lay horizontally on hooks attached to a 
beam overhead, and opening the door stepped 
out. But he had no sooner passed the thresh- 
hold, than the sharp crack of three rifles were 
heard in rapid succession, and he staggered 
back, exclaiming, ^' Run for your lives !" and 
fell into the room. My mother and grandmo- 
ther, already horror-stricken, gave a sudden 
scream and immediately sprang out of an op- 
posite window, and ran to a neighboring 
house, about eighty rods distant, to give the 
alarm. It so happened that two distant neigh- 
bors, who had been out that day on a hunting 
excursion, called at the same house some ten 



84 burgoyne's campaign. 

or fifteen minutes before, and hearing the fir- 
ing, were, in company with the occupant, lis- 
tening to ascertain its direction, if repeated. 
At the same time a horse was heard at a dis- 
tance rapidly approaching, which soon proved 
to be my father's, on which, having heard the 
firing, and suspecting mischief, he was riding 
at the top of his speed, and arrived at the mo- 
ment the alarm was given. Springing from 
his horse, and being furnished with a rifle, the 
four men immediately hurried on, regardless of 
any danger they might be rushing into. On 
approaching the house, it being then quite 
dark, they caught the glimpse of persons run- 
ning in the direction of a piece of woods near 
by ; upon whom they, in their hurry, fired at 
random. 

Having pursued on to the skirt of the wood, 
and seeing no more of the enemy, they re- 
turned to the house, where a mournful specta- 
cle presented itself. There lay the mangled 
and lifeless corpse of my grandfather, drenched 
in his own blood, and tomahawked and scalp- 
ed ; and on examination it was found that 
three balls had passed through his body. In 
searching, the next morning, at the place where 
the Indians, for such were they supposed to be, 



burgoyne's campaign. 85 

were fired upon, they found blood in several 
places leading into the woods, evincing that 
some one of them, at least, had been wound- 
ed. It was supposed that the hostile party 
consisted of four Tories, and five Indians, as 
that number was seen next day, near Fort 
Edward, travelling north with a hurried step ; 
one of which limped considerably and lagged 
behind. 

A short time previous to the foregoing tra- 
gedy, my grandfather, at the head of Mty men, 
had a desperate encounter with about eighty 
Indians and Tories at Sabbathday Point,* in 
which the enemy were defeated, with the loss 
of forty killed and wounded. It was supposed 
that, in consequence of so signal a defeat, 
which was effected by means of an ambus- 

* Sabbathday Point is a low neck of land stretching 
into Lake George from the western shore, three miles 
from the little village of Hague. On Sabbathday 
Point, Lord Amherst with his armj'' stopped for re- 
freshment upon the morning of the Sabbath, and gave 
this beautiful spot the name by which it is now known. 
It is a charming spot, and susceptible of great embel- 
lishment. In the summer of 1756, a small body of 
Provincials who had retreated to this point, defeated a 
superior force of French and Indians, who had attacked 
them in gun-boats. 



86 BURGOYNe's CAMPAiaN. 

cade, the Indians and Tories were determined, 
at all hazards, to destroy the man, who in this, 
as in many other instances, had been so great 
a scourge to them, and which they finally ac- 
complished, in the manner already related. 

At the time the American army under Ge- 
neral Schuyler was retreating down the Hud- 
son from Fort Edward, small parties of Tories 
and Indians kept pace with them along the 
opposite bank, and when an opportunity pre- 
sented, where the road was on or near the 
margin of that stream, along which the army 
passed, they would secrete themselves near 
the bank and fire across at the officers and 
men ; and in this manner they pursued them 
as far down as Stillwater, wounding many on 
the way. When the army was thus passing 
near E. Vandenburgh's, and opposite a shoal 
place in the river, an Indian waded out some 
distance and fired, hitting a soldier and badly 
wounding him in the hand. Another soldier, 
by the name of Dirk Van Vechten, who was 
marching in the same platoon, w^as so vexed 
at it that he was determined to avenge the in- 
jury. Accordingly he kept a sharp look out, 
and watching his opportunity, as soon as he 



burgoyne's campaign. b7 

saw an Indian approach the river, he crept 
along on the ground, and laid himself down 
on the margin of the bank, behind some open 
bushes ; and as an Indian arrived at a spot in 
the river from which he raised his piece to fire. 
Van Vechten let drive at him, when the In- 
dian bounded, with a horrid screech, three feet 
out of water, and fell, and he saw no more of 
him. After that, the Indians were very care- 
ful how and where they showed themselves. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The progress of Burgoyne thoroughly alarm- 
ed the American states also ; it being well 
known that the American forces under Gene- 
ral Schuyler were not sufficient to prevent the 
capture of Albany, whenever it was reached 
by the enemy. Instead of thinking of sub- 
mission, the Americans met this alarming cri- 
sis with firmness and resolution, and great ex- 
ertions were made to reinforce the army. 
General Lincoln, of Massachusetts, was di- 
rected to raise and take command of the New 
England militia. Colonel Morgan, with his 



88 burgoyne's campaign. 

riflemem was detatched to the northern army§ 
and Congress elected General Gates as Com^ 
mander. 

The appointment of General Gates, though 
he did not assume the command till after the 
battle of Bennington, created considerable ex- 
citement at that time in the public mind, and 
much dissatisfaction was expressed on account 
of that measure ; and with my limited means of 
knowledge, I have never been able to learn 
what good reason induced the removal of Gen. 
Schuyler. Few men in our country at that 
time ranked higher, in all the essential quali- 
ties of the patriot, the gentleman, the soldier, 
and scholar. The nobility of soul he possess- 
ed, distinguished him from ordinary men, and 
pointed him out as one deserving of public 
confidence. 

While the American army was thus assum- 
ing a more respectable appearance, General 
Burgoyne was making very slow advances to- 
wards Albany. From the 28th of July to the 
15th of August, the British army was continu- 
ally employed in bringing forward batteaux, 
provisions, and ammunition, from Fort George, 
to the first navigable part of the Hudson river, 
a distance of not more than fifteen miles. 



burgoyne's campaign. 89 

The labor was excessive, the Europeans were 
but little acquainted with the methods of per- 
forming it to advantage, and the effect was in 
no degree equivalent to the expense and time. 
With all the efforts that Burgojne could make, 
encumbered with his immense train of artille- 
ry and baggage, his labors were inadequate to 
the purpose of supplying his army with provi- 
sions for its daily consumption, and the estab- 
lishment of the necessary magazines. And 
after his utmost exertions for fifteen days, there 
was not above four days' provisions in store, 
nor above ten batteaux in the Hudson river. 

In such circumstances, the British general 
found that it would be impossible to procure 
sufficient supplies of provisions by the way of 
Lake George, and determined to replenish his 
own magazines at the expense of those of the 
Americans. Having received information that 
a large quantity of stores were laid up at Ben- 
nington, and were guarded only by the mili- 
tia, he formed the design of surprising that 
place ; and was made to believe that as soon 
as a detachment of the royal army should ap- 
pear in that quarter, it would receive effectual 
assistance from a large body of loyalists, who 
only waited for the appearance of a support, 



90 eurgoyne's campaign. 

and would in that event, come forward and 
aid in the royal cause. Full of these expecta- 
tions, he detached Colonel Baum, a German 
officer, with a select body of troops, to sur- 
prise the place. This force consisted of about 
five hundred regular troops, some Canadians, 
and more than one hundred Indians, with two 
light pieces of artillery. To facilitate their 
operations, and to be ready to take advantage 
of the success of the detachment, the royal 
army moved down along the east bank of the 
Hudson river, and encamped nearly opposite 
Saratoga (Schuylerville) ; having at the same 
time thrown a bridge of rafts across the river, 
by which the advanced corps passed to that 
place. With a view to support Baum, if it 
should be found necessary. Lieutenant Colonel 
Breyman's corps, consisting of the Brunswick 
grenadiers, light infantry and chasseurs, were 
posted about five miles up the Battenkill. 

General Stark having received information 
that a party of Indians were at Cambridge, 
sent Lieutenant-Colonel Gregg, on the thir- 
teenth of August, with a party of two hundred 
men to stop their progress. Towards night he 
was informed by express that a large body of re- 
gulars was in the rear of the Indians, and ad- 



burgoyne's campaign. &1 

vancing towards Bennington. On this intelli- 
gence, Stark drew together his brigade, and mi- 
litia that were at hand, and sent to Manchester 
for Col. Warner to bring on his regiment ; he 
sent expresses at the same time to the neigh- 
boring militia, to join him with the utmost 
speed. On the morning of the fourteenth, he 
marched with his troops, and at a distance of 
seven miles he met Gregg on the retreat, and 
the enemy within a mile of him. General 
Stark drew up his troops in order of battle ; 
but the enemy coming in sight, halted upon a 
very advantageous piece of ground. Colonel 
Baum perceiving the Americans were too 
strong to be attacked with his present forces, 
sent an express to Burgoyne with an account 
of his situation, and to have Breyman march 
immediately to his support. In the meantime 
small parties of the Americans kept up a skir- 
mish with the enemy, killed and wounded 
thirty of them, with two of their Indian chiefs, 
without any loss to themselves. The ground 
the Americans had taken was unfavorable for 
a general action, and Stark retreated about a 
mile and encamped. A council of war was 
held, and it was agreed to send two detach- 
ments upon the enemy's rear, while the rest 



92 burgoyne's campaign. 

of the troops should make an attack upon their 
front. The next day the weather was rainy, 
and though it prevented a general action, there 
were frequent skirmishings in small parties, 
which proved favorable and encouraging to the 
Americans. 

On the sixteenth of August, in the morning. 
General Stark was joined by Colonel Sy- 
monds and a body of militia from Berkshire, 
and proceeded to attack the enemy, agreeably 
to the plan which had been concerted. Co- 
lonel Baum, in the meantime, had entrenched 
on an advantageous piece of ground near St. 
Koick's mills, on a branch of the Hoosick river ; 
and rendered his post as strong as his circum- 
stances and situation would admit. Colonel 
Nichols was detached with two hundred men 
to the rear of his left. Colonel Herrick with 
three hundred to the rear of his right : both 
were to join and then make the attack. Co- 
lonels Hubbard and Stickney, with two hun- 
dred more, were ordered to the right, and one 
hundred were advanced to the front to draw 
the attention of the enemy that way. About 
three o'clock in the afternoon the troops had 
taken their several positions, and were ready 
to commence the action. While Nichols and 



BUKQOYNPi's CAMPAIGN. 93 

Herrick were bringing their troops together, 
the Indians were alarmed at the prospect, and 
pushed of! between the two corps ; but receiv- 
ed a fire as they were passing, by which three 
of them were killed and two wounded. Ni- 
chols then began the attack, and was followed 
by all the other divisions ; those in the front 
immediately advanced, and in a few moments 
the action became general. It lasted about 
two hours, and was like one continued peal of 
thunder. Colonel Baum made a brave de- 
fence : and the German dragoons after they 
had expended their ammunition, led by their 
Colonel, charged with their swords, but they 
were soon overpowered. Their works were 
carried on all sides, their two pi(3ces of cannon 
were taken. Colonel Baum himself was mor- 
tally wounded and taken prisoner, and all his 
men, except a few who had escaped into the 
woods, were either killed or taken prisoners. 
The work having been completed by taking 
the whole party, the militia began to disperse 
in search of plunder. But in a very short time 
General Stark received information that a 
large reinforcement was on their march, and 
within two miles of him. Fortunately at that 
moment Colonel Warner came up with his 



94 burgoyne's campaign. 

regiment from Manchester. This brave and 
experienced officer commanded a regiment of 
Continental troops, which had been raised in 
Vermont. Mortified that he had not been in 
the former engagement, he instantly led on his 
men against Colonel Brejman, and began the 
second engagement. General Stark collected 
the militia as soon as possible, and pushed on 
to his assistance. The action soon became 
general, and continued with obstinacy on both 
sides till sunset, when the Germans were 
forced to give way, and were pursued till dark. 
They left their two field pieces behind and a 
considerable number were made prisoners. 
They retreated in the best manner they could, 
improving the advantages of the night, to 
which alone was their escape ascribed. 

The following facts may possibly elucidate 
the circumstances of the foregoing battles. 

On the approach of Col. Baum, he had for- 
ces enough, had he continued his march, to 
have taken all the stores that had for some 
time been accumulating at Bennington, as 
there were but few militia there at the time ; 
but a Yankee trick, (and what are the Yankees 
not up to ?) was played off upon him, as fol- 
lows. Three men, '' true to the core," in 



burgoyne's campaign. 95 

whom General Stark placed the most implicit 
confidence, offered themselves as volunteers, to 
go to Colonel Baum, who was on his approach, 
and represent themselves as loyalists, and ask 
to be taken under his protection, and even 
ofTered to take up arms with him, and fight 
against the Americans ; and at the same time 
represented the Americans to be in strong 
force at that place, and that if he attempted to 
proceed, his troops w^ould all be cut to pieces. 
Upon this information, and placing great con- 
fidence in the " honest looks" of these men, 
Colonel Baum made a halt near the west line 
of Bennington, in the town of Hoosick, and 
sent to Burgoyne for reinforcements. Gene- 
ral Stark, taking advantage of the delay, col- 
lected together from the surrounding country 
a considerable number of militia, and having 
sent an express to Manchester for Colonel 
Warner to come on with the troops under his 
command, went out to meet Colonel Baum 
about five miles from Bennington ; and having 
approached to within about a mile and a half 
of the Hessian camp, he made a halt at Mat- 
thews's, where he remained with his troops 
through the night. 

In the meantime the Hessians fortified them- 



96 BURG0Y^'E'S CAMPAIGN. 

selves on quite an elevated hill on the north 
side of the river, and directly east of the Bar- 
net house. This hill is of quite steep ascent 
from the river to the top, but of a more gen- 
tle slope in every other direction. On the top, 
in a sort of timber fort, they placed one of their 
field pieces, and the other on a level patch of 
ground at the foot of the hill, and near the 
margin of the river, for the purpose of covering 
the Tories, w^ho were posted on a small rise of 
ground, on the opposite side of the river, and 
who hastily fortified themselves by placing two 
tier of rails horizontally, and filling the space 
with flax that grew in the same field. Near 
the margin of the river, where the road crossed 
the bridge, and between the battery at the 
foot of the hill and the Tories' breast work, 
stood a log cabin well stowed with women at- 
tached to the Hessian army, one of which, on 
the approach of the Americans, in attempting 
to flee across the bridge to the Hessian hill, 
was killed by a musket ball. 

Along the road on the margin of the river, 
and leading from Bennington to Hoosick, Ge- 
neral Stark ordered a part of his troops to ad- 
vance ; and in order to make as much show 
as possible, he directed a number who had no 



BURGOYNE S CAMPAIGN. 97 

arms to fall in with them, to draw the atten- 
tion of the Hessians that way ; while two re- 
giments were directed by a circuitous route 
through the woods, to gain the enemy's rear ; 
the plan was well concerted and promptly ex- 
ecuted. The Hessians, being now attacked 
in front and rear, fought for sometime with 
desperation, till at length, being too hotly 
pressed, they threw down their arms and fled; 
but were immediately pursued by the Ameri- 
cans, and nearly all killed or taken prisoners. 
The day was hot and sultry, and the men, 
after a long and arduous conflict, were almost 
exhausted. But, notwithstanding, on the ap- 
proach of Colonel Breyman with reinforce- 
ments, they again rallied as soon as circum- 
stances would permit, and Colonel Warner 
having arrived with his regiment, prepared for 
renewed action, and crowned the day with 
victory complete. 

In these actions the Americans took four 
brass field pieces,* twelve brass drums, two 

* These beautiful brass pieces of artillery were des- 
tined to undergo several of the vicissitudes of war. 
They are French cast, and were brought from Quebec, 
with the army of Burgoyne. They were afterwards 
inscribed, ** Taken at Bennington, August 16th, 1777," 
9 



98 burgoyne's campaign. 

hundred and fifty dragoon swords, four am- 
munition wagons, and about seven hundred 
prisoners, with their arms and accoutrements ; 
two hundred and seven men were found dead 
upon the field ; the number of wounded was 
not known. The loss of the Americans was 
but small — thirty were slain, and about forty 
were wounded. 

The consequences of this battle were of great 
importance. It animated the hearts of the 
people, more than fulfilling, in this respect, the 
happy prediction of Washington. But its 

and constituted a part of the artillery of General Hull's 
army, and fell into the enemy's hands at Detroit. When 
the British officer of the day ordered the evening salutes 
to be fired from the American cannon, who at the same 
time reading the inscription, *' Taken at Bennington, 
August 16th, 1777," observed that he would cause to 
be added as an additional line to the verse, " Retaken 
at Detroit, August 16lh, 1812." The guns were car- 
ried by the British down to Fort George, at the mouth 
of the Niagara river, where they again fell into the 
hands of the American army, which captured that for- 
tress. General Dearborn had them transported to 
Sackets-Harbor, and with them was fired the salutes 
in honor of Harrison's victory over Proctor at the river 
Thames, in Upper Canada. The guns are nov7 at th© 
city of Washington, where it is hoped they may remain 
in peace. 



burgoyne's campaign. 99 

immediate effects were of the first moment. 
It not only cost the army of Burgoyne more 
than one thousand of his best troops, but it 
wholly deranged the plan of his campaign, 
and materially contributed to the loss of his 
army. By advancing beyond Ticonderoga, 
his communication with the country in his 
rear was interrupted. He relied on these la- 
teral excursions to keep the population in alarm, 
and prevent their flocking to General Schuyler, 
who at this time had the command of the 
northern army. He also depended on procur- 
ing his supplies by such inroads into the 
country. The catastrophe of Baum's expedi- 
tion, by which he hoped to furnish himself with 
an ample store of provisions collected at Ben- 
nington, disappointed that expectation, and 
compelled him to halt until he could procure 
them in detail from other quarters, and thus 
retarded his advance toward Albany for a 
month ; during all which time, the militia 
poured to the standard of General Schuyler, 
and placed the Americans in a condition to 
compel the surrender of the whole British 
army. In the memoir of Baron ReidesePs 
expedition, written by the baroness, his lady, 
it is stated that this judicious officer strongly 



100 burgoyne's campaign, 

remonstrated against despatching Col. Baum, 
and the event of the expedition is declared "to 
have paralyzed at once the operations of the 
British army." 

After having rendered important services in 
the arduous campaigns of the French w^ar un- 
der Generals Howcj Abercrombie, and Am- 
herst, after sustaining his part gallantly in 
the fields of Bunker Hill and Trenton, and 
contributing much to the result of those im- 
portant actions. General Stark had the morti- 
fication to find himself overlooked in the line 
of promotion, and men who were his inferiors 
in rank, who had scarcely seen the fire of an 
enemy, or the smoke of his camp, promoted 
over him. He remonstrated to Congress, but 
all to no purpose ; and rather than submit to 
the injustice of the measure, he resigned his 
commission in the preceding spring, and re- 
tired from the army. 

When Burgoyne advanced from the north 
with so powerful a force, and all the energies 
of the country became necessary to repel his 
attacks, the authorities of his native state di- 
rected their attention to General Stark, rely- 
ing upon his military reputation and popularity 
to call out the militia of New Hampshire and 



burgoyne's campaign. 101 

Vermont. At their request, laying aside the 
recollection of his wrongs, he called upon his 
friends, the yeomanry of his country, and they 
obeyed his voice. The victory of Bennington 
discovered to his astonished countrymen the 
rare spectacle of undisciplined militia fighting 
for their firesides and homes, and triumphing 
over British veterans. 

Mr. Jefferson, speaking of himself. General 
Stark, and Mr. Adams, then the eldest patri- 
archs of the revolution, in regard to the objects 
Vi^hich were most agreeable to the recollec- 
tions of each of them, makes use of this ob- 
servation : " Stark talked of his Bennington^ 
and exulted in his glory." Exultation in the 
usual sense of the term, did not belong to him. 
To all the committees from different states 
who congratulated him upon his success, his 
answer was, " that any other man would have 
done as well under similar circumstances." 
And well might the hero exult in his fame. 
He had struck an immortal blow in the cause 
of Liberty, which turned the tide of conquest 
against her enemies, and gave hope and con- 
fidence to his despairing friends in the common 
cause. It was not the loud shout of success- 



102 BURGOYr^E's CAMPAIGN. 

ful ambition, but the honest expression of true 
patriotism, which characterised his triumph. 
The liberty of his country was the prize for 
which he contended — to free the land of his 
birth from foreign dependence, and not mere- 
ly the gathering of military laurels, was the ob- 
ject of this soldier citizen ; when that was ob- 
tained, he retired to domestic life, and never 
more solicited or received a public employ- 
ment. It must have been extremely gratifying 
to his feelings, to observe the effect of his suc- 
cesses upon Congress, late so hostile to his 
promotion, in drawing from them commissions 
and votes of thanks. 

It is, however, worthy of remark, that while 
Congress liberally bestowed upon distinguished 
actors in the great revolutionary drama, swords 
and medals in approbation of their services, 
the total defeat of a veteran army, the capture 
and destruction of a thousand men, and a death 
blow given to the hopes of the invader, was 
complimented by the Old Congress, with only 
a generous vote of thanks bestowed upon the 
hero of Bennington. 

in person General Stark was about the mid- 
dle size, extremely well proportioned, and in 
his youth was remarkable for vigor, activity, 



BUilGOVTNE's CAMPAIGN. 103 

and the capability of sustaining fatigue ; as 
was proved during the French war, in which 
a single bearskin and a roll of snow was fre- 
quently the war-couch of our gallant veterans. 
He was a man of kindness and hospitality, 
which through life he extended to all his bro- 
ken down companions in arms, and all others 
who sought his assistance. One remarkable 
fact in the life of General Stark, is, that al- 
though often engaged in close and desperate 
combat with the French and Indians, and af- 
terwards with the British and Tories, in the 
Revolution, he was never struck by a shot, or 
wounded in any manner by the enemy. 

His character in his private, was as unex- 
ceptionable as in his public life. His manners 
were frank and open; though tinged with an ec- 
centricity peculiar to himself, and useful to so- 
ciety. He sustained through life, the reputa- 
tion of a man of honor, and integrity, friendly 
to the industrous and enterprising — severe to 
the idle and unworthy — society may venerate 
the memory of an honest citizen, and the na- 
tion of a hero, whose eulogy is written in the 
remembrance of his countrymen. 



104 burgoyine's campaign* 

Congratulatory letter from General Schuy- 
ler to General Stark, written three days after 
the battle of Bennington. 

Van Schaick's, Aug. 19th, 1777. 
Dear Sir — I do myself the pleasure to congratulate 
you on the signal victory which you have gained'; 
please accept my best thanks. The consequence of 
the severe stroke the enemy have received, cannot fail 
of producing the most salutary results, I have de- 
spatched one of my aids-de-camp to announce your vic- 
tory to Congress and the Commander- ia-chief. 

Governor Clinton is coming u^p with a body of mili- 
tia, and I trust that after what the enemy have received 
from you, their progress will be retarded, and we shall 
yet see them clriven from this part of the country» 
General Gates is at Albany, and will this day reassume 
the command. 

I am, dear General, 

Your most obedient, 

PH. SCHUYLER. 

Several anecdotes in connection with the 
battle of Bennington have been recorded, of 
which the following is one. 

Among the reinforcements from Berkshire 
county came a clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Allen, 
of Pittsfield, with a portion of his flock, re- 
solved to make bare the arm of flesh against 



105 

the enemies of the country. Before daylight 
on the morning of the 16th, he addressed the 
commander as follows : '' We the people of 
Berkshire have been frequently called upon to 
fight, but have never been led against the ene- 
my. We have now resolved, if you will not 
let us fight, never to turn out again." Gene- 
ral Stark asked him if he wished to march then, 
when it was- dark and rainy. '' No," was the 
answer. '^ Then," continued Stark, ''if the 
Lord should once more give us sunshine, and 
1 do not give you fighting enough, I will never 
ask you to come again." The weather clear- 
ed up in the course of the day, and the men 
of Berkshire followed their spiritual guide into 
action. 

Another — On General Stark's approach to 
the Hessian camp, and pointing out the ene- 
my to his soldiers, he declared to them that 
" he wonld gain the victory over them in the 
approaching battle, or Molly Stark should be a 
widow that night." 

Some two or three days previous to the time 
that Colonel Baum was detached to Benning- 
ton, a party of Indians and Tories were sent 



106 

on for the purpose of scouring the county be- 
tween that place and Fort Edward. On their 
way they captured and took with them Mrs. 
Hannah Coon, (now Mrs. Grandy) wife of 
Mr. Elisha Coon, a captain in the Ameri- 
can militia, and who was then absent on duty. 
Mrs. Coon was then in a very delicate situa- 
tion, and such as required momentary atten- 
tion ; but notwithstanding, she was compelled, 
as incapacitated as she was, to travel on foot 
with these ferocious savages and more brutal 
Tories. The second day after her capture her 
accouchment took place, where they halted 
for the night. In the morning after her con- 
finement, she, witli two other women who 
had also been captured, was again compelled 
to walk and carry her child, to the place 
where the troops under Colonel Baum encamp- 
ed, previous to the action with the Americans 
under General Stark. Before the battle, she 
says, the troops were in high spirits, and 
boasted much of their ability to subdue the 
*' rebel Yankees" as they called the Ameri- 
cans, and vainly endeavored to persuade a 
number, whom they had taken prisoners on 
the way, to join in the cause of the British 
kiner. But durinir the action, and while the 



burgoyne's campaign. 107 

soldiers were repeatedly bringing the wound- 
ed into camp, she would laugh at, and ridi- 
cule them. Soon after the action commenced, 
she saw the Indians, she says, flying in all 
directions, and skulking behind trees, rocks, 
and other places of concealment. On the re- 
treat of the Indians, after the defeat of Colonel 
Baum, she was taken with them, and soon 
met the reinforcements under Colonel Brey- 
man ; when she returned to camp and remained 
during the second battle, and was again com- 
pelled to travel on foot with them on their re- 
treat to the place where they encamped dur- 
ing the night. Here, owing to her recent 
confinement and constant fatigue, she was ta- 
ken sick, and whether it was on that account, 
or on account of the hurry and bustle the troops 
were in at the time, being in momentary expec- 
tation of pursuit by the Americans, she does not 
know, but she was left without a guard, and 
managed to conceal herself and child imtil they 
had departed, when she made her escape. 

During those days of extreme suffering, 
distress, and alarm that she experienced, while 
in her delicate state of health, she was often 
threatened with instant death, if she refused 
to proceed or complained of inability ; and 



108 burgoyne's campaign. 

once in particular, an Indian chief approached 
her with much ferocity, at a time when she 
was tantalizing them on their defeat, and ac- 
tually clenched up her child, which was lying 
on her lap, and drew his scalping knife 
around its head, and brandished his tomahawk 
over her, in token of what he would do if she 
did not desist ; and she thinks would have 
carried his threats into execution, had it not 
been for the interference of a humane officer. 
After her escape, and having undergone all 
the horrors of a cruel death, she with much 
difficulty returned home, where she remained 
alone (excepting her infant child), and in the 
midst of the wilderness, about three weeks, 
with nothing to subsist upon but a little salt 
pork, which had been concealed, and some old 
or seed cucumbers, that were left undisturbed 
in the garden, all their other provisions and 
even her cooking and other furniture having 
been taken away by the Indians and Tories. 
The cucumbers she scraped the seeds from 
and peeled, then roasted them in the embers, 
and though she was fearful they might kill her, 
yet, she says, she thought she might as well 
die by eating them as to starve to death — as 
the salt*pork she could not eat alone. 



burgoyne's campaign. 109 

At the expiration of three weeks she was 
again taken by the Indians and Tories, who, 
she thinks, vented their malice particularly 
upon her, on account of her husband having 
taken sides with the Americans, as they would 
often speak of it. At this time she was com- 
pelled to cross the river with them, in advance 
of the British army, and was taken as far as 
Stillwater, but managed to make her escape 
during the action of the 19th of September, 
having suffered much during the time. 

But little do the junior matrons of these times 
of luxury and ease, know or feel of the suffer- 
ings and deprivations of those who inhabited 
this part of the country in those days of peril 
and alarm ; and there are but few, who suffi- 
ciently realize the price at which the dear 
bought liberties of our now happy country 
were purchased. 

Mrs. Coon, (Grandy) now lives on the same 
farm that her husband owned and occupied 
when she was taken prisoner — about two miles 
from Union Village, in Washington county. 
New York. She is, at the time of writing 
this narrative, ninety-three years of age, quite 
active, and her step uncommonly firm for a 
person of her advanced age ; and she bids fair 



110 burgoyne's campaign. 

to live yet a number of years. On the reci- 
tal of her sufferings, a glow of resentment 
suffused her matronly cheek, and the fire of 
indignation would sparkle in her keen black 
eye; but in a moment she sprang upon her 
feet, with the seeming activity of youth, and 
broke out in raptures of joy, as though no 
sacrifice for her country had been too great, 
and exclaimed with much enegy of feeling : 
" But they got well paid for it! the first army," 
as she called it, " were most all taken pris- 
oners, and the second got defeated and had to 
run for their lives;" and " Oh," she says, ''how 
1 rejoiced to see it, though I knew my own 
sufferings would be increased." And who is 
there so lost to his country's weal as not to 
exclaim with the patriot poet ? 

''Amor (patrije) vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori." 

The following incident took place while 
Colonel Warner had the command of the gar- 
rison at Fort Edward : 

While the Americans held undisputed pos- 
session of the posts at the north, it was a very 
common thing for the different commanders to 
exchange visits. Colonel Warner occasionally 
visited the commander at Fort George. On 



burgoyne's campaign. Ill 

one of these occasions, he was returning with 
two officers all of them mounled on horseback. 
As they were passing the Bloody Pond, where 
some hostile Indians had hid themselves behind 
an old tree, they received a volley of musketry 
from their concealed enemies. The two offi- 
cers fell lifeless to the ground, and Colonel 
Warner was wounded, as was also the horse 
he rode. He put spurs to the bleeding animal 
and endeavored to escape. One of the offi- 
cer's horses accompanied him, and the Indians 
pursued. As he rode on, his own occasional- 
ly seemed ready to fall under him, and at other 
times would revive and appear to renew his 
strength. The other horse kept up with them, 
alternately increasing and relaxing his speed, to 
keep pace with his wounded companion. The 
colonel in vain tried to sieze the bridle which 
hung over his neck, an expedient which prom- 
ised to save him if his own steed should fail. 
In this manner, and with all the horrid anti- 
cipation of a cruel death before him, he ma- 
naged to outstrip his pursuers until he reached 
Glen's Falls. There, as the uninjured horse 
came along side, he made another attempt to 
seize his bridle, and succeeded. He instant- 
ly dismounted, unslung his own saddle, threw 



112 BURGOYNE's CAMPAICrf. 

it over the fence, mounted the other horse 
and rode off at full speed. He saw no more 
of his pursuers from this moment, but reached 
Fort Edward in safety. Not however, with- 
out being really overcome by his exertion, fa- 
fatigue, and loss of blood. What was also 
singular, was the arrival of his wounded horse, 
which lived to do good service in the field. 



CHAPTER V. 

Soon after the foregoing battles, General 
Lincoln, with a strong corps of militia from 
New Hampshire and Connecticut,conceived the 
hope of recovering for the States the fortress- 
es of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, 
and consequently the command of Lake George. 
He knew that these places were guarded only 
by feeble garrisons. He advanced from Man- 
chester to Paulet. He parted his corps into 
three divisions : the first, commanded by Co- 
lonel Brown, was to proceed to the northern 
extremity of Lake George, and thence to fall 
by surprise upon Ticonderoga ; the second, 
led by Colonel Johnston, was destined to 



burgoyne's campaign. 113 

scour the country about Fort Independence, in 
order to make a diversion, and even an attack, 
if occasion should favor it; the third, under 
the orders of Colonel Woodbury, had it in 
view to reduce Skeensborough, Fort Ann, and 
even Fort Edward. Colonel Brown, with 
equal secresy and celerity, surprised all the 
posts upon Lake George, and the inlet of Ti- 
conderoga. Mount Hope, Mount Defiance, and 
the old French lines. He took possession of 
two hundred batteaux, an armed brig, and seve- 
ral gun boats ; he also made a considerable 
number of prisoners. Colonel Johnston ar- 
rived at the same time under the walls of Fort 
Independence. The two fortresses were sum- 
moned to capitulate. But brigadier General 
Powel, who held the chief command, replied 
that he was resolved to defend himself. The 
Americans continued their cannonade for the 
space of four days ; but their artillery being of 
small calibre, and the English opposing a spiri- 
ted resistance, they were constrained to aban- 
don the enterprise and to recover their former 
position. 

About the twentieth of August, General 
Gates, having succeeded to the command of 
the northern army, soon after left the encamp- 

10 



114 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

ment at Van Schaick's Island, and moved back 
with it again to Stillwater (Village,) fully de- 
termined to face the foe, and if necessary pur- 
sue him into his own confines. This was at 
first supposed to be an eligible position for 
throwing up a line of entrenchments, and a 
large party, under an engineer, were according- 
ly set to work for that purpose. But at the 
suggestion of the author's father and some 
others, who were actively engaged at that time, 
and who were well acquainted with the country, 
and upon a narrow inspection of the grounds, 
General Gates determined to change his posi- 
tion and occupy Bemis's Heights, which were 
immediately taken posession of and fortified. 
Burgoyne at this time lay nearly opposite to 
Saratoga, occupying old Fort Miller and the 
banks of Battenkill near its mouth ; but what 
were his further intentions General Gates had 
no means of judging. In this situation the 
deputy Adjutant-General Wilkinson, volunteer- 
ed to head a select reconnoitering party, and 
obtain if possible the desired information. He 
left the camp with one hundred and seventy 
men, under cover of a dark night (12th Sept.) 
and arrived by daylight at Do-ve-gat (Cove- 
Ville) about three miles below Saratoga (Schuy 



burgoyne's campaign. 115 

lerville). Here he posted a greater part of his 
men in a wood near the road, and proceeded 
himself to the heights of Fish Creek ; from 
which position he discovered a cohimn of the 
enemy drawn up under arms on the opposite 
bank of the creek, within three hundred yards 
of him, and another column under march de- 
scending the heights below Battenkill. Being 
satisfied, from these circumstances, that Gen- 
eral Burgoyne was advancing, Colonel Wilkin- 
son returned to camp with his party, bringing 
with him three prisoners who confirmed the 
intelligence. 

The following is a description of the ground, 
[see map] and its vicinity, selected by General 
Gates, for the encampment of the American 
army. On the right bank of the Hudson, 
about three miles above the village of Stillwa- 
ter, and about twenty-five north of Albany, 
are extensive alluvial flats, about half a mile in 
width at the centre, and tapering towards their 
extremities, until they form a narrow defile of 
only about thirty rods in width, between the 
river and the river hills. In the rear of those 
flats, and even down to their margin, with the 
exception of here and there a small clearing, 
and those in the rough, was at that time a 



116 

dense forest, and in many places for some dis- 
tance back, the land was much cut up with 
deep ravines. The only road much traveled 
at that time, run along the margin of the riv- 
er, and through the defile at the southern ex- 
tremity of those flats, where a man by the 
name of Bernis kept a public house, the only 
one of any note, I have been informed, be- 
tween Albany and Fort Edward; and from 
whom the high land, back, derived the appel- 
lation of Bemis's Heights. From these cir- 
cumstances, an army approaching from the 
north, and especially with a heavy train of 
artillery and baggage, was under the necessity 
of passing along this road, and through this 
narrow defile. Here and on the Heights, 
Gates having determined to establish and for- 
tify his camp, immediately commenced opera- 
tions. Along the brow of the river hills he 
threw up a line of breast-works about three- 
fourths of a mile in extent, with a strong bat- 
tery at each extremity, and one in or near the 
centre, in such positions as to sweep the flats 
intervening between them and the river. From 
the foot of the hills, across the flats to the 
river, an entrenchment was opened, at the ex- 
tremity of which, on the margin of the river. 



burgoyne's campaign. 117 

was constructed another strong battery; and 
another breast-work and battery a little in ad- 
vance of the last, and near where the road 
crossed Mill creek, the bridge having been 
broken up. These were the principal, and I 
may say, the only fortifications completed, pre- 
vious to the action on the nineteenth of Sep- 
tember. The engineer having the direction 
of the American works at Bemis's Heights, was 
the celebrated Polish patriot, Thaddeus Kosci- 
usko, who had also served in the same capaci- 
ty at Ticonderoga. 

This celebrated engineer came to this coun- 
try utterly unprovided with letters of recom- 
mendation, or introduction, and nearly penni- 
less, and ofiered himself as a volunteer in the 
American cause, and solicited an interview 
with General Washington. **What do you 
seek here?" inquired the General with his ac- 
customed brevity. "I come to fight as a vol- 
unteer for American Independence," was the 
equally brief and fearless reply. "What can 
you do?" was Washington's next question ; to 
which Kosciusko, with his characteristic sim- 
plicity, only rejoined, '*Try me." This was 
done ; occasion soon offered, in which his tal- 
ents, science and valor were evinced, and above 



118 burgoyne's campaign. 

all his great character was duly appreciated. 
He was speedily made an officer, and further 
distinguished himself. 

He had not been long in America, when he 
had occasion to display his undaunted courage, 
as a captain of a company of volunteers. 
Generals Wayne and Lafayette, notwithstand- 
ing the heat of the battle in which they them- 
selves were fully engaged, observed with satis- 
faction the exertions of that company, which 
advanced beyond all the rest, and made its at- 
tack in the best order. 

" Who led the first company ?" asked La- 
fayette of his comrades, on the morning of 
that memorable day, the 30th of September. 

The answer was, " It is a young Pole, of 
noble birth, but very poor ; his name if I am 
not mistaken, is Kosciusko." The sound of 
this unusual name, which he could hardly pro- 
nounce, filled the French hero with so eager 
a desire for the brave stranger's acquaintance 
that he ordered his horse to be immediately 
saddled, and rode to the village about two 
miles off, where the volunteers were quartered 
for the night. 

Who shall describe the pleasure of the one, 
or the surprise of the other, when the Gene- 



burgoyne's campaign. 119 

ral, entering the tent, saw the captain, 
still covered from head to foot with blood, 
dust, and sweat, seated at a table, his head 
resting upon his hand, a map of the country 
spread out before him, and pen and ink by his 
side. A cordial grasp of the hand imparted to 
the modest hero his commander's satisfaction, 
and the object of a visit paid at so unusual an 
hour. Kosciusko was appointed an engineer, 
with the rank of colonel, in October, 1776. 
After fortifying the camp of General Gates, he 
was sent to West Point to erect the works there. 
He was highly esteemed both by American 
and French officers. At the close of the Re- 
volutionary war, he returned to his native 
country, and was made Major-General under 
Poniatowski. In the latter part of his life, 
having no country of his own, he retired to 
Switzerland, where he died, Oct. 16th, 1817. 

During the time (near a month) that Bur- 
goyne, with his army, lay at and near Batten- 
kill, an incident took place, which I think 
worthy of notice, as showing the spirit and 
ardor of the Whigs, in those troublous times ; 
and their determination to cut off all supplies 
from the invading army. 

The Tories, or Cowboys, as they were then 



120 burgoyne's campaign. 

called, were in the constant habit of plundering 
the inhabitants on both sides of the river, of 
their grain, poultry, and other kinds of eata- 
bles, and driving ofif their cattle, hogs, and 
sheep, vi^henever they could find them, for the 
purpose of supplying the British army vs^ith 
provisions, for which no doubt they were well 
paid. Though often pursued, and sometimes 
roughly handled by the Whigs, they still per- 
sisted. At one time in particular, they had 
collected and secreted in a deep dark ravine, 
branching off from Mill creek, a large quantity 
of provisions, such as beef, pork, flour, and 
other articles of consumption, with the inten- 
tion of transporting them, at some favorable 
opportunity, to the British camp. By acci- 
dent it was found out, and the place of con- 
cealment discovered ; upon which my father, 
at the head of about twenty resolute fellows, 
which he had collected together and well arm- 
ed, went on in the night, for the purpose of 
taking or destroying their plunder. On their 
arrival within a short distance of the depot, 
one of them crept slily along, when he dis- 
covered the Tories, about thirty in number ; 
five of whom appeared to be armed and keep- 
ing guard, while the others were in the act of 



burooyne's campaign. 121 

loading four waggons which stood a short dis- 
tance from the depot, and which they had 
brought for the purpose of conveying away 
their stores. The assailing party then held a 
secret council of war, to consult whether, the 
enemy being so much superior in number, it was 
advisable to proceed ; whereupon it was unan- 
imously agreed that they should " go ahead," 
and made their arrangements accordingly. 

The place where the stores were concealed, 
was behind a point projecting from the oppo- 
site side, around which the ravine curved, 
forming the bank on the side of the assailants 
into a semicircle, around which, it was precon- 
certed, they should extend themselves in cou- 
ples, and silently approach the bank or brow 
of the hill, and at the word of command, 
" Come on, boys /" they were all to give a 
whoop, and rush on, though not to fire unless 
the Tories made resistance ; but in that case, 
to fight their way through in the best way 
they could. All preliminaries being arranged, 
they formed themselves in order of battle, and 
silently moved on to the brow of the hill form- 
ing the ravine ; and when my father, who was 
at the head, and as previously agreed, gave the 
word, " Come on boys !" they gave such hor- 
II 



122 burgoyne'^s gampaigi*?, 

rid, continued, and frightful yells, and at the 
same time rushing down the hill like a mighty 
torrent, that by the time they had got to the 
bottom of the ravine, the enemy had all de- 
camped, leaving their arms and baggage a 
prey to the victors. The assailants not yet 
satisfied, pursued on a considerable distance, 
shouting, whooping, and making the woods 
ring with their horrid yells, as though a thou- 
sand Indians had been let loose upon the 
frightened fugitives. Having found no enemy 
in their pursuit, the assailants returned to the 
deserted camp, to examine their booty ; but as 
the Tories had not yet brought, or had con- 
cealed their horses, and having no means of 
bringing off the wagons, they went to work 
and broke them in pieces, as much as they 
could. Having stove in the barrels, and scat- 
tered and otherwise destroyed the flour and 
other provisions, they all returned home safe 
and sound, and much to the joy and gratifica- 
tion of their families and friends; bringing 
with them twenty-five stand of arms, with 
which Burgoyne had furnished the Tories, and 
which the victors considered lawful prize. 

Thus ended this hazardous and praisewor- 
thy exploit, and for which my father whs ho- 



burgoyne's campaign. 123 

nored with the title of captain^ a title, as is 
now well known to many, by which, for a num- 
ber of years, he was addressed, and until he 
was appointed a civil magistrate, when the 
title was exchanged for esquire* 

About the same time, small parties of In- 
dians were seen prowling about the vicinity, 
of whom my father and a few resolute fellows 
had been in pursuit. On their return, he had 
occasion, while the others passed on, to call at 
a Mr. Ezekiel Ensign's, who afterwards, and 
for a number of years, kept a public house a 
little north of Wilber's Basin. While sitting 
there about nine o'clock in the evening, in con- 
versation with Mr. Ensign, a ferocious looking 
giant-like Indian, armed and accoutred in the 
usual costume of an aboriginal warrior, ushered 
himself into the room, and after eyeing them 
sharply for a momeat, he with one hand drew 
from his belt a huge tomahawk, which he 
flourished about his head in true Indian style, 
and with the other a long scalping-knife, whose 
glittering steel became more brilliant in the 
dazzling glare of a bright torch-light, and with 
vi^hich he exhibited, in pantomime, his dexter- 
ous manner of taking scalps. At the same 
timej with eyes flashing fire, and turning al- 



124 burgoyne's campaign. 

ternalely from one to the other, as they sat in 
opposite directions, he accompanied his daring 
acts, in broken English, with threats of instant 
death, if they attempted to move or speak. 
Ensign being a cripple in one arm, having at 
some former time accidentally received a charge 
of shot through his shoulder, and feeling his 
own weakness, should resistance become ne- 
cessary, and being in momentary expectation 
of receiving the fatal blow, he became fixed 
and immovable in his chair, with a countenance 
of ashy paleness, 

Obstupuit, steteruntque comas, et vox faucibus haesit. 

On the other hand, my father, being a man 
of great muscular strength, and of uncommon 
agility, and having had many encounters with 
the Indians, for which they owed him a grudge, 
prepared himself, with much presence of mind, 
for a desperate event. To this effect, while 
the Indian, in his threatening manner, would 
momentarily direct his attention to Ensign, 
he would, imperceptibly and by degrees, turn 
himself in his chair, and in this manner would 
from time to time, keep silently moving by lit- 
tle and little, until he succeeded in placing 
himself in a position in which he could grasp 



burgoyne's campaign. 125 

with both hands, the back posts of his chair. 
Thus situated, and knowing the lives of both 
of them depended altogether on his own ex- 
ertions, he watched his opportunity, and the 
moment the Indian turned his eye from him, 
he grasped the chair, and with almost the ra- 
pidity of lightning, sprang upon his feet, whirl- 
ed the chair over his head, and aimed at him 
a desperate blow : but the chair raking the 
ceiling above, and the Indian at the same time, 
and almost as quick as thought, dodging the 
blow, he missed his aim. The Indian, having 
recovered his position, immediately sprang, 
with a hideous yell, and with his tomahawk 
uplifted, ready to strike the fatal hhw ; but 
before he could effect his direful purpose, the 
chair was brought around the second time, 
and with redoubled force, athwart his head 
and shoulders, which brought him to the floor. 
No sooner had he fallen, than his assailant, 
dropping his chair, sprang upon him, and 
wrenched from his firm grasp, the dreadful 
weapons of death ; and would have disabled 
him on the spot, but Ensign, who by this time 
had recovered the power of speech, and sup- 
posing he intended to take the Indian's life, 
begged of him not to kill him in the house. 



12G burgoyne's campaign. 

He then holding him in his firm grasp, called 
for a rope, which was soon procured, and with 
the assistance of Ensign, he succeeded, though 
not without a dreadful struggle, in binding the 
savage monster. By this time, two of the 
neighbors who had been alarmed by some fe- 
male of the family, came in, when he was 
shut up in an out-house, with the doors barred 
and left in their keeping during the remainder 
of the night ; to be disposed of in the morn- 
ing as circumstances might require. In the 
night, the guard believeing him secure, and 
allowing themselves to fall asleep, he made 
his escape, by removing some portion of the 
floor and under wall, on the opposite side of the 
prison to which his guard was posted, much to 
the regret, not only of his victor, but to many 
of the neighbors, who had flocked together to 
obtain a sight of the conquered savage. 

At another time seven of those maurauding 
Tories, who had distinguished themselves by 
a series of desperate acts not to be patiently 
endured by the community, were taken pris- 
oners, conveyed to Albany, and confined in 
the city prison, since known as the old mu- 
seum, and from which they once made their 
escape, but only to enjoy their liberty a few 



bdrgoyne's campaign. 127 

hours, for they were soon retaken and con- 
demned to the gallows. The public indigna- 
tion was much excited by their conduct in 
prison, and the circumstances attending their 
being brought to suffer the sentence of the 
law. They were confined in the right hand 
room of the lower story of the prison. The 
door of their apartment swung in a place cut 
out lower than the level of the floor. When 
the sheriff came to take them out he found the 
door barricaded. He procured a heavy piece of 
timber with which he in vain endeavored to bat- 
ter down the door, although he was assisted in 
the operation by some very athletic and willing 
individuals. During the attempt, the voices of 
the prisoners were heard threatening death to 
those who persevered in the attempt, with the 
assertion that they had a train of powder to 
blow up themselves and their assailants. In- 
deed it was well ascertained, that a quantity 
of powder had passed into their possession, but 
how, could not be known. It was afterwards 
found placed under the floor, and arranged to 
produce the threatened result. The sheriff 
could not effect his entrance, while a crowd of 
gazers looked on to see the end of this singu- 
lar contest. Some one suggested the idea of get- 



l!28 burgoyne's campaign. 

ling to them through the ceiling, and immedi- 
ately went to work to effect a passage, by cut- 
ting a hole through. While this was going on, 
the prisoners renewed their threats, with vows 
of vengeance speedy, awful and certain^. The 
assailants, however;, persevered, and having pro- 
cured a fire-engine, placed it so as to introduce 
the hose suddenly to the hole in the ceiling, 
and at a given signal inundated the room be- 
neath. This was dexterously performed. The 
powder and its train were in an instant rendered 
useless. Still, however^ to descend was the di- 
fficulty, as but one person could do so at a time» 
The disproportion of physical strength that ap- 
parently awaited the first intruder, prevented, 
for some time, any further attempt. At last an 
Irishman, by the name of McDole,. who was a 
merchant, exclaim^ed, " give me an Irishman's 
gun, and I will go first !" He was instantly 
provided with a formidable cudgel, and with 
this in his hand he descended, and at the same 
moment in which he struck the floor,^ he level- 
ed the prisoner near him, and continued to 
lay about him violently until the room was fill- 
ed with a strong party of citizens, who came 
to his assistance through the hole in the ceil- 
ing. After a hard struggle they were secured, 



EURGOYNe's CAMFAlG.N. 129 

and the door which had been barricaded by 
brick taken from the fireplace, was opened. 

They were almost immediately taken out 
for execution, and the mob was sufficiently 
exasperated to have instantly taken their pun- 
ishment into their own hands. The prisoners 
while moving up the hill to the place of exe- 
cution, wore an air of great gloom and ill na- 
ture. No one appeared to pity them, and 
their own hopes of being released by some for- 
tunate circumstance, as by the intervention of 
the enemy, had now vanished forever. 

Having arrived at the summit of the hill, 
near, or at the very place now covered with 
elegant and substantial edifices, north and east 
of the academy, they there, upon one gallows 
of rude construction, ended their miserable 
lives together. 

The transaction created considerable excite- 
ment, and was considered by the Tories as a 
cruel and unnecessary waste of life, and a sa- 
crifice to the unnatural feelings which had dic- 
tated the unhappy rebellion. By the Whigs, 
it was considered as a necessary example, de- 
manded by the nature of the times and the 
enormity of the offences they had committed, 
and they considered it notonly a justifiable, but 



130 burgoyne's campaign. 

an imperious act of necessity, to inflict upon 
the offenders the full penalties of the law. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Burgoyne, having used the most unremit- 
ting industry and perseverance in bringing 
stores forward from Fort George, and having 
at length, by strenuous efforts, obtained about 
thirty days' provisions, formed the resolution of 
passing the Hudson with his army in order to 
etigage the Americans, and force a passage to 
Albany.^ 

* Albany has been memorable in American history. 
It was the rendezvous, and the point of departure, for 
most of those armies, which, whether sent by the mother 
country, or raised by the colonies themselves, for the 
conquest of the Gallo-American dominions, and of 
the savages, so often during^ the middle periods of the 
last century, excited, and more than once disappointed 
the hopes of the empire. It Avas scarcely less conspicu- 
ous in the same manner, during the war of the Revolu- 
tion, and during the late war with Great Britain. Few 
places on this side of the Atlantic, have seen more of 
martial array, or heard more frequently the dreadful 
note of preparation. Still, (except perhaps in some of 



burgoyne'3 campaign. 131 

As a swell of the water, occasioned bj great 
rains had carried away his bridge of rafts, he 
constructed another of boats, over the river at 
a shoal place of the water, just above the 
mouth of Battenkill. And in order to cross, 
he encamped on an extensive flat or interval, 
about one hundred rods north of Lansing's 
saw-mill. The farm, till within a few years, 
was occupied by Mr. Thomas Rogers. Bur- 
goyne had quite an extensive slaughter yard 
there, which so enriched the soil, that its ef- 
fects are still visible^pn the corn crops and oth- 
er productions. On the bank of the river 

the early contests, with the Aborigines) it has never 
seen an enemy ; a hostile army has never encamped be- 
fore it ; nor have its women and children ever seen the 
smoke of an enemy's camp. 

More than once, however, has a foreign enemy, after 
fixing his determination for Albany, been either arrested, 
and turned back in his career, or visited the desired spot 
in captivity and disgrace. 

The French invasions from Canada, never came 
nearer than Schenectady. In 1777, the portentous ad- 
vances of the British armies from the same place, and 
of the British fleets and armies, from New-York, threat- 
ening a junction at Albany, and filling the- new states 
with alarm, and the Cabinet of St. James with prema- 
ture exultations, met a most signal discomfiture. 



132 burgoyne'3 campaign. 

where the army made their flotilla to cross 
with their cannon, &c. they threw up an em- 
bankment, about twenty rods in extent, run- 
ning parallel with the river, and mounted with 
several pieces of cannon, to protect the army in 
case of opposition, while crossing. The re- 
mains of this bank are still visible, and are 
mostly covered with brush wood, which skirts 
the bank of the river. On the thirteenth and 
fourteenth of September, he crossed with his 
army here, and at a shoal one mile below, to 
the right bank of the Hudson, and encamped 
on the heights of Saratoga, (Schuylerville.) 
On the fifteenth, having succeeded in getting 
his artillery and baggage all across, he moved 
down as far as Do-ve-gat, (Coveville) where he 
halted two days, for the purpose of repairing 
the roads and bridges in his advance, for the 
more convenient march of his army. On the 
seventeenth he advanced as far as the " Sword- 
house," about two miles above John Taylor's, 
(which has been mistaken by many for the 
" Sword-house,") where he encamped for the 
night. On this day, Gen. Arnold, with about 
fifteen hundred men, was sent out to harass 
him and impede his progress ; but the country 
at that time was so thickly wooded, and the 



burgoyne's campaign. 133 

land along the river hills and their vicinity, so 
cut up with deep and almost impassable ravines, 
as to render it impracticable to attack him in 
flank, and to attack so powerful an army in 
front would not have been advisable ; conse- 
quently he returned without accomplishing 
anything, excepting some slight skirmishing 
with the British advance guard. 

On the eighteenth Burgoyne continued his 
march as far as what is now called *' Wilber's 
Basin,"* at the northern extremity of the alhi- 
vial flats, before mentioned, and within about 
two miles of the American camp. Here he 
fortified his camp, with breast works and re- 
doubts, in a line extending from the river to a 

* Northeast of the American camp, and about five 
miles distant, is quite an elevated portion of land called 
" Willard's Mountain," from the following fact. At the 
time Burgoyne, with his veteran army, was encamped 
at and near Wilber's Basin, a man by the name of Wil- 
lard, in company with a few others, took a good spy- 
glass, and went to the top of this mountain, for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining, as near as possible, the number of 
the British troops, the situation of their camp, and to 
watch their movements, and made his reports accord- 
ingly; which, it was said, were of much benefit to the 
Americans, and from which circumstance, it has ever 
since retained the appellation of " Willard's Mountain." 



134 

range of hills about forty rods distant, and 
upon which, and the plain in the rear, was 
posted the division under General Frazer, and 
upon the very ground, beneath the surface of 
which, the bones of that gallant officer are 
now mouldering into dust. 

At this time the American army were dis- 
posed in the following order ; the main body, 
composing the right wing, and under the im- 
mediate command of General Gates, occupied 
the river hills, and the defile between those and 
the river ; the left wing, under General Ar- 
nold, and composed of General Poor's brigade, 
Morgan's rifle regiment and a portion of the 
militia, were posted on the Heights about 
three-fourths of a mile in rear of the river hills ; 
and General Learned, with his brigade and 
two regiments of militia, occupied the plain 
or centre. 

Thus circumstanced, the nineteenth of Sep- 
tember was reserved by destiny for an obsti- 
nate and sanguinary action, in which it was 
at length to be decided whether the Ameri- 
cans, as some pretended, could only resist the 
English when protected by the strength of 
works, or of woods, rivers and mountains, or 



burgoyne's campaign. 135 

if they were capable of meeting them upon 
equal ground, in fair and regular battle. 

About ten o'clock, the British troops formed 
themselves in order of march, with a full de- 
termination of forcing their way through the 
American lines, and made their arrangements 
accordingly. Burgoyne's intention, as was 
afterwards authentically ascertained, with the 
center division, of which he took command in 
person, and the right wing under General 
Frazer, was by a circuitous route, to concen- 
trate their forces at the head of the middle 
ravine near the left wing of the Americans ; 
turn that wing, and fall upon the rear of the 
American camp ; at the same time a strong 
force composing the left wing, and artillery 
under Generals Phillips and Reidesel, were to 
move along the main road near the margin of 
the river, to within about half a mile of the 
American lines ; and at a given signal, make 
an attack in front and force their way through. 
And in order to keep up a perfect understand- 
ing between the divisions under Burgoyne and 
Frazer, and that composing the left wing, 
three minute guns were to be fired, at the 
junction of the former, for the latter to ad- 
vance 



136 Bl!llGOiNK\s CAMPAIGN. 

As soon as it was ascertained that Burgoyne 
was on the advance, and in separate divisions, 
Arnold, feeling anxious to begin the *'• game," 
pressed General Gates with much earnestness 
to permit him to march out and make the at- 
tack in advance of the American lines, and 
solicited a portion of the troops composing the 
right wing. Gates at first refused, prefering 
to await his approach at the entrenchments, 
and, besides, it was at that moment some- 
what uncertain where Burgoyne intended his 
first attack, consequently he objected to the 
drawing oft' any of the forces from the river, 
as Phillips and Reidesel were already on the 
march. But Arnold, anticipating Burgoyne's 
intentions, which afterwards proved correct, 
and pressing with so much force, the propriety 
of an attack in advance, as a means of dis- 
concerting his plan of operations, and check- 
ing the progress of the left wing of the Bri- 
tish army, that General Gates finally yielded, 
and directed him to send out Colonel Morgan's 
rifle corps and a portion of the infantry, and 
to support them himself if necessary ; but re- 
fused any assistance from the right wing, ex- 
cepting Colonel ScammelFs regiment. It has 
ever been a matter of surprise, to those who 



BURGOyNE^S CAMPAIGN. 157 

were present at the time, and well acquainted 
with the facts, that, after Phillips and Reide- 
sel fell back. General Gates did not allow Ar- 
nold to draw reinforcements from the right 
wing, in which case, the victory no doubt 
would have been complete. 

It has been stated by almost all who have 
written upon the subject, and even by Wilkin- 
son, of whom 1 may have occasion to speak 
hereafter, that the battle of the nineteenth of 
September was accidental in its commence- 
ment. It is true it may have been accidental 
on the part of Burgoyne, inasmuch as he did 
not expect the Americans would meet and at- 
tack him where they did ; but in the sense in 
which the idea of accidence appears intended 
to be conveyed, it never has been understood 
by those who were present and well acquaint- 
ed with the facts, and had honesty enough to 
relate them in all their truth and simplicity. 
If the attack was not intended by Burgoyne, 
as above stated, with due deference, I would 
ask, why did the left wing move down the 
river to within half a mile of the American 
lines? and why were those signal guns to be 
fired on the junction of the two divisions un- 
der Burgoyne and Frazer ? and why did their 

12 



138 burgoynk's campaign. 

baggage remain on board of their boats and 
other convejancesj all of which are well 
known and incontestible facts ? These are 
questions of moment, and ought to be satis- 
factorily answered by those who assert the ac- 
tion to have been accidental in its commence- 
ment. 

But to resume. Burgoyne, with the center 
division, followed the course of the stream 
now forming Wilber's basin, about half a mile, 
then struck off in nearly a southwest direction, 
and through some partial clearings, until he 
arrived a little south of what was then called 
^* Freeman's Cottage ;" his front and flanks 
being covered by Indians, Provincials, and 
Canadians. The division composing the right 
wing, under General Frazer, took a circuitous 
route along a new road partially opened, lead- 
ing from the river and intersecting the road 
from Bemis's Heights, north, about two and 
a half miles from the American camp ; and 
from this place of intersection, proceeded 
south towards the American left, until they 
arrived at some high ground about one hun- 
dred and fifty rods west of Freeman's Cottage- 
At this moment, Colonel Morgan, who had 
been detached to observe the movements of 



139 

the British, and to hanass them as they ad- 
vanced, fell in with the Canadians and In- 
dians, in advance of Burgojne, at the middle 
ravine south of Freeman's Cottage, w^here he 
attacked them sharply, and drove them back 
till they were reinforced by a strong corps, un- 
der Major Forbes, about midway between the 
ravine and cottage, where a brisk engagement 
took place ; but the British were finally driven 
back to their line which was then forming, in 
an open wood in rear of the cottage, where 
they were again reinforced, and Morgan in 
turn compelled to retire. Major Dearborn, 
with a battallion of light infantry, being order- 
ed to the assistance of Morgan, whose rifle- 
men had been considerably scattered by the 
vigor of the attack, the battle was renewed 
about one o'clock. About this time, Arnold, 
with his command, consisting of a part of 
Learned's brigade and of the New- York troops, 
appeared on the field, and made an attempt 
to cut off Frazer, who was now rapidly ad- 
vancing, from the center division or main body 
under Burgoyne. But Frazer was, at the 
same time, endeavoring to execute a similar 
movement upon him, while neither of them 
was able, on account of the woods, to per- 



140 

eeive the movements of his enemy. The two 
parties met about sixty rods west of the cot- 
tage, on a plain or level piece of ground. Ar- 
nold exhibited on this occasion all the impetu- 
osity of his courage ; he encouraged his men 
with voice and example. The action soon 
became vvarm^ close, and bloody ; the enemy^ 
fearing that Arnold, by cutting their line, 
would penetrate between the right wing and 
center division, as was manifestly his inten- 
tion, hastened with two regiments of infantry 
and Brey man's riflemen, to reinforce the point 
attacked ; who poured so galling a fire into 
the right flank of the Americans, that, after 
contesting the ground inch by inch for more 
than an hour, they finally broke and gave way^ 
when Arnold was compelled to retire and re- 
sume his place in the line. 

The principal scene of the subsequent ac- 
tion, was on what was then called Freeman's 
Farm,^ of which the following is a description 



* " Freeman's Cottage,** or " Freeman *s Farm," as 
it was then called, lies about half a mile east of the 
road leading to the Quaker Springs, and is now occu- 
pied by the widow and heirs of William Leggett, de- 
ceased. A farm now owned by the heirs of Isaac Free- 



burgoyne's campaign. 141 

of the ground. Iq front of Freeman's cottage 
was an oblong clearing, skirted by an open 
wood, about sixty rods in length from east to 
west, containing twelve or fifteen acres, and 
sloping to the east and south. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon, both 
armies were drawn up in a line of battle; the 
British, consisting of the 9th, 21st, 62d and 
20th regiments of Hamilton's brigade, and 
Jones's corps of grenadiers and artillery, on 
the north, and the Americans on the south of 
this clearing. Burgoyne being now at the 
head of his army, and the Americans having 
been reinforced by four regiments under Lieu- 
tenant-Colonels Brooks, Cilley and Scammel, 
and Majors Dearborn and Hull, the action 
commenced, and soon became general, and 
the combatants evinced that ardor and gal- 
lantry which showed a determination to con- 
quer or die. Such was now the valor and im- 
petuosity of the Americans, which continued 
without intermission for more than an hour, that 
the British troops began to fall into confusion ; 

man, deceased, and immediately between the foregoing 
and the said road, then occupied by George Coulter, is 
often mistaken for the 
ded to. 



142 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

but General Phillips soon appeared with fresh 
men and a part of the artillery. Upon hear- 
ing the firing, he had rapidly made his way up 
the river hills, and through a very difficult 
wood to the scene of danger, and restored the 
action at the very moment it was about to be 
decided in favor of the Americans. The Ame- 
ricans being again reinforced by Gen. Learn- 
ed's brigade, the firing, for about three hours, 
was incessant, with continued and tremendous 
roar and blaze, filling the field with carnage 
and death. Few battles have been more ob- 
stinate and unyielding — at one point the Brit- 
ish are overpowered; but being reinforced, 
the Americans are baffled : these, being sup- 
ported and renewing their efforts, regain their 
advantages ; the same ground is occupied al- 
ternately ; the dead and w^ounded are now 
promiscuously mingled together; the British 
resort repeatedly to their bayonets, without ef- 
fect ; the Americans resist and foil their at- 
tempts. 

Major Jones of the British artillery, had the 
command of four pieces of cannon, which he 
conducted with great skill and valor till he fell, 
and thirty-six out of forty-eight of his artille- 
rymen were either killed or wounded ; his 



143 

cannon were repeatedly taken and retaken, but 
finally remained with the enemy for want of 
horses to bring them off. The sixty-second 
regiment, under Colonel Anstruther, of Hamil- 
ton's brigade, was also literally cut to pieces ; 
after the action it did not exceed sixty men, 
and five or six officers, fit for duty. The Co- 
lonel and his Major, Harnage, were wounded. 
During the engagement a number of the Ame- 
ricans placed themselves in the boughs of high 
trees, in the rear and flanks, and took every 
opportunity of destroying the British officers by 
single shot; and in this way Captain Green, 
aid of General Phillips, was shot through the- 
arm, at a moment when he happened to pass 
between the ball and General Burgoyne, at 
whom it was aimed. 

In the dusk of the evening the battle termi- 
nated, the British in one quarter silently re- 
treated, the Americans in another gave way 
and quit the long contested field. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Brooks, who with the eighth Massa- 
chusetts regiment, was engaged with Brey- 
man's riflemen, remained on the field till about 
eleven o'clock at night, and was the last who 
returned. So engaged were the Americans, 



144 bukgoyne's campaign* 

that many of them, after having their wounds 
dressed, returned again to the fight. 

Major Hull commanded a detachment of 
about two hundred men, who fought with such 
signal ardor, that more than half of them were 
either killed or wounded ; and during the heat 
of the action, a party of the British having 
stationed themselves in and near the cottage, 
from which they were making havoc among 
his men, he detached a band of brave fellows 
for the purpose, who made a rush, drove them 
with much slaughter from their position, and 
took their cannon ; and all in less time than 
it takes to record the fact. 

Towards the close of the day. General 
Learned's brigade, and one other regiment, I 
think Marshall's, were principally engaged on 
a rise of ground west of the cottage, with the 
British grenadiers and a regiment of British 
infantry, and bravely contested the ground till 
night, which has so often and so kindly inter- 
posed to stop the carnage of contending hosts, 

Put 'n end to the conflict. A scene now of horror 
Was open'd to view on the dawn of the morrow ; 
For on parts of the field where the battle most rag'd, 
Lay Britons and Yankees, both the young and the ag'd 
Promisc'ously mingled — about forty-two score, 
Of the dying and dead lay weltering in gore ! 



burgoyne's campaign. 145 

Both parties claimed the victory. The 
English, it is true kept possession of the field ; 
yet, as the intention of the Anfiericans was, 
not to advance, but to maintain their position, 
and that of the English not to maintain theirs, 
but to gain ground, and as besides, it was a 
victory for the Americans not to be vanquish- 
ed, it is easy to see which had the advantage, 
of the day. On the other hand, the English 
were now convinced, to the great prejudice of 
their hopes, and even of their courage, that 
they would have to grapple with a foe as ea- 
ger for action, as careless of danger, and as in- 
different with respect to ground or cover, as 
themselves. 

The whole number of Americans engaged 
in this battle, was about three thousand ; the 
remainder of the army, from its unfavorable 
situation, being near the river, and for reasons 
before stated, took no part in the action. 

About three thousand five hundred of the 
British were engaged, more than five hundred 
of whom, were either killed, wounded, or ta- 
ken prisoners. On the side of the Americans 
three hundred and fifteen were killed, wound- 
ed, or missing. Among the killed were Lieu- 
is 



146 BURGOYWE^S CAMFAiGK, 

tenant-Colonels Adams and Colburn, of Poor^s 
brigade, both able and efficient officers. 

At the same time the left wing of the British 
army was moving down the river, a party of 
Canadians, Loyalists, and Savages were de- 
tached through the skirt of the woods along the 
margin of the flats, where, at that time, was a 
bye road, traveled only in time of great fresh- 
ets, the flats at such time being overflowed. 
General Gates, having received information of 
their approach, detached about three hundred 
men to intercept them ; they were met on a 
flat piece of ground bordering on Mill creek, 
where a smart skirmish took place, which last- 
ed, with much obstinacy on both sides, about 
twenty minutes, when the enemy being much 
cut up and broken, finally gave way and fled 
in every direction ; leaving thirteen dead on 
the field, and thirty-five taken prisoners. 

This was the first action, fought with any 
portion of Burgoyne's army after he crossed 
the river; being terminated about the same 
time that Morgan commenced the action near 
the Heights. 

I have, within a few years, been informed 
by a Mr. Hoose, who was in the action, that 
the enemy, being reinforced, rallied again, and 



bukgoywk's campaign. 147 

drove the Americans within their entrench- 
ments, where about one hundred followed, 
whoj a reinforcement at that moment arriving, 
were immediately surrounded and every man 
taken prisoner ; and the remainder, after a 
sharp contest for about fifteen minutes, were 
compelled to flee. 

From some of the prisoners taken in this 
skirmish, General Gates received the first cer- 
tain information of Burgoyne's intention of 
trying to force a passage through the American 
lines, and of his manner of attack ; which de- 
termined him to keep a strong force on the 
flats and river hills. 

The next day, Arnold being anxious to re- 
new the attack, was opposed by Gen. Gates, 
and possibly for the following reasons. At 
the close of the preceding battle, such was the 
difficulty at that time of procuring ammunition, 
that the American soldiers composing the left 
wing, and who had been engaged, had not a 
second round of cartridges left, nor were they 
to be procured at the magazine ; a fact not 
made known to any of the officers excepting 
General Gates, until after a supply had bees 
obtained from Albany, when the secret was 
first disclosed. Upon which Arnold, feeling a 



148 burgoyne's campaign. 

deep sense of the deplorable situation in which 
the army would have been placed, had the ac- 
tion been renewed the next day by the British 
troops, as they were in hourly expectation ; 
very politely asked General Gates why he had 
not made the fact known to him. Gates re- 
plied in his usual grufif manner, " It was bad 
enough for me to know it myself." 

About the time General Phillips arrived on 
the field with the artillery, General Arnold, on 
a grey horse, and under full speed from the 
scene of action, rode up to General Gates, 
who was on the Heights at the time, sitting 
upon his horse, and listening to the tremen- 
dous firing, and addressed him in the follow- 
ing laconic manner r " General, the British 
are reinforced ; we must have more men."" 
General Gates immediately replied, " You 
shall have them, sir," and immediately ordered 
out General Learned's brigade ; when Arnold 
again hurried back on a full gallop, and the 
men after him in double quick time. 

These incidents, which were well known 
at the time, and often spoken of afterwards, 
even up to this day, the author relates in cor- 
roboration of the facts stated by him, in con- 
tradiction to what has been said by General 



burgoyne's campaign. 149 

Wilkinson respecting Arnold. I have some- 
where seen it stated by Wilkinson, that during 
this action, Generals Gates and Arnold sat on 
their horses near the center^ of the American 
camp, listening to the firing, while he, (Wil- 
kinson) I think, was much on the field, direct- 
ing the movements of the American forces. 
But those acquainted with the situation of the 
I country at that time ; the dense forest that in- 
tervened between the center of the camp and 
the battle field ; its more remote situation, 
and consequently from its position, there was 
more difficulty in hearing ; and also knowing 
the relative situation of the Heights on the 
left, where Arnold's division was posted, and 
where the attack was intended, by Burgoyne, 
to have been made, and the open ground in- 
tervening between those Heights and the field 
of action : I feel confident, were there nothing 
else to confute it, that they would, at once, 
see the fallacy of Wilkinson's statement : and 
I also think that Colonel Stone, had he known 
the situation of the whole ground, and the cir- 
cumstances of this battle, would not have set 
down Wilkinson's account of it as the best 
that has been written. It is possible, howe- 
ver, that Wilkinson's account of any transac- 



160 burgoyne's campaign. 

tion where Arnold was not concerned, maj be 
as correct as any extant. 

Whether these errors were intentionally 
committed by Wilkinson, or whether he was 
intoxicated at the time ; or finally, whether 
he was so blinded by jealousy^ a feeling, 
which, it was well known at that time, exist- 
ed towards Arnold, was the cause of those er- 
rors, I will leave for the reader to inquire ; 
while I deem it sufficient for me to point them 
out, and correct them, by such facts and cir- 
cumstances as have come to my knowledge. 
Not that I would, by any means, attempt to 
justify the after and traitorous conduct of Ar- 
nold, for no one can more highly condemn that 
unfortunate step, than I do myself, nor can I 
suppose any possible circumstances that would 
justify him in taking the course that he did ; 
but at the same time, as my object is to " no- 
thing extenuate or aught set down in malice," 
I am therefore willing to give *' honor to whom 
honor is due," and it has been the common 
belief, especially in this part of the Union, that 
one cause of his turning a traitor as he did, 
was in consequence of his not having received 
due credit for his management and gallantry 
in and during the truly " memorable battles on 



burgoyne's campaign. 161 

Bemis's Heights." It is perhaps difficult to 
speak of the deeds of such a man as Arnold, 
without remembering the deplorable issue to 
which he was finally brought, by his folly and 
wickedness; yet the historian should never 
forget that he commits a crime little less fla- 
grant in its nature, if inferior in its magnitude, 
when he allows himself to be so far moved by 
his feelings, as to depart from the strict line of 
truth and justice, or, by such an obliquity, to 
lead his readers to form a false and harsh judg- 
ment, 

A serious misunderstanding arose about this 
time between Gates and Arnold, which is sup- 
posed to have been owing to the officious in- 
terference of Wilkinson, who was adjutant- 
general to the army, and who insisted on the 
returns of a part of Arnold's division being 
made to him, and influenced Gates to sustain 
his demand; which was done in general or- 
ders, without giving notice to Arnold. And 
in his official communication to congress, re- 
specting the battle, General Gates said nothing 
of Arnold or his division, but merely stated 
that the action was fought by detachments 
from the army* Arnold complained of this 
neglect as ungenerous, not more in regard to 



152 BURGOYiNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

himself than to the troops under his immediate 
command. A sharp correspondence ensued, 
and Arnold was finally deprived of his com- 
mand. 

There is room to believe that a spice of 
jealousy was also mingled with Gates's feel-^ 
ings at that time. Colonel Varick, military 
secretary to General Schuyler, in writing from 
camp to that officer three days after the action, 
said, " He seems to be piqued, that Arnold's 
division had the honor of beating the enemy 
on the 19th. This I am certain of, that Ar- 
nold has all the credit of the action." And 
after the convention of Saratoga, Colonel Va- 
rick again wrote as follows in a letter from 
Albany. «' During Burgoyne's stay here, he 
gave Arnold great credit for his bravery and 
military abilities, especially in the action of the 
19th, whenever he spoke of him, and once in 
the presence of General Gates*" He certain- 
ly, I think, could not have referred to his 
bravery in sitting on his horse, near a mile in 
rear of the field of battle, and secreted behind 
a dense intervening forest, where Wilkinson 
has very erroneously placed him. The fact of 
Arnold's being on the field during the action 
of the 19th, and actually heading the troops 



burgoyne's campaign. 15S 

that engaged Frazer's division, is also confirm- 
ed by a number who were present, and many 
of whom were engaged in that battle. 

With these few remarks 1 will leave Wil- 
kinson, with all his errors, in the hands of the 
reader, to be dealt with as he may think most 
advisable, while I myself am proceeding on 
and preparing the way for an account of a 
more decisive battle. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The day following the action, General Bur- 
goyne, finding that he must abandon all idea 
of dislodging the Americans by force, from their 
entrenched positions, endeavored to console 
himself with the hope, that time might offer 
him some occasion, to operate with more ef- 
fect. 

Resolving, therefore, to pause, he pitched 
his camp within cannon shot of the American 
lines. He threw up a line of entrenchments, 
with batteries, across the plain to the river 
hills ; also an entrenchment with batteries, 
across the defile at the northern extremity of 



154 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

the flats, and extending to the river on his left, 
the whole being about two miles in extent. An 
English regiment, the Hessians of Hanau, and 
a detachment of Loyalists were encamped on 
the flats, where he had established his maga- 
zines and hospitals, for greater security. 

While these preparations were going on at 
the British camp, the Americans were not idle. 
They now extended and completed their line 
of breastworks, from the north-eastern angle 
on the river hills, west, across the farm then 
owned by the late John Neilson, Esq., deceas- 
ed, about three-fourths of a mile, to the Heights 
on the left, and to within a few rods of his 
dwelling house now occupied by his son the 
present waiter. From the Heights on the left, 
and a few rods north of the dwelling house, 
the entrenchments extended south and south- 
west, about three-fourths of a mile, to a great 
ravine. At the northwest angle stood a large 
log barn, which was strengthened by a double 
tier of logs on three sides, and strong batter- 
ies, in circular form, extending from each ex- 
tremity, south, about one hundred and fifty 
feet, and encircled by a deep trench and pa- 
lisades or pickets ; ihe whole area within the 
circle of the pickets, was near half an acre. 



burgoyne's campaign. 156 

and out of respect to the owner, who was a 
very active Whig, it was honored with the 
name of Fort Neilson. A little left of the cen- 
ter, between the northern extremities, was a 
strong battery, and also about fifty rods south 
of the fort was another ; and in the rear, near 
the center of the encampment, was their mag- 
azine, which was also fortified. Much of 
these fortifications are still existing ; sufficient 
to plainly trace their line, and the positions of 
the several batteries. The front of the camp 
was covered from the right to the left by a deep 
ravine, running nearly parallel w^ith the line, 
and a great part of the way by a dense forest. 
From a little left of the fort and for some dis- 
tance west, large trees were felled in every 
direction, which presented an almost insur- 
mountable barrier. 

Thus fortified. General Gates, having given 
up the command of the right wing to General 
Lincoln, assumed that of the left, and moved 
his head quarters from Bemis's house near the 
river, to a house standing about one hundred 
rods south of the fort, and owned by Captain 
Ephraim Woodworth ; the left being composed 
of two brigades under Generals Poor and 
Learned, Colonel Morgan's rifle corps, and a 



156 BURCOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

part of the New England Militia : Colonel 
Morgan occupying the Heights immediately 
south of the fort, General Learned's brigade, 
the plain below or on the east, and General 
Poor's brigade, the Heights south of Morgan, 
and between him and General Gates's head 
quarters. 

The British troops were disposed in the fol- 
lowing order: the Hessians under Colonel 
Breyman occupied the extreme right, or right 
flank defence, the light infantry, under Lord 
Balcarras, and Frazer's elite, that part of the 
camp around Freeman's cottage, flanked by 
the grenadiers and Hamilton's brigade, on their 
left, and extending to the north branch ravine. 
The remainder of the army, including Reide- 
sel's command, occupied the plain, and the 
ground north of Wilber's Basin, to protect their 
magazine and hospital. 

Thus the two armies lay, in lines parallel to 
each other, and within cannon shot distance, 
from the nineteenth of September until the 
seventh of October ; though not without great 
anxiety on both sides ; and scarcely a night 
passed without firing, and sometimes concert- 
ed attacks upon the British pickets ; no forag- 
ing party could be made without great detach- 



feURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 15? 

ments to cover them ; it was the plan of the 
Americans to harrass the British army by con- 
stant alarms, and their superiority of numbers 
now enabled them to attempt it, without fa- 
tigue to themselves. It has been said, and no 
doubt truly, that neither officer nor soldier of 
the British army, ever slept during that inter- 
val, without his clothes, or that any general 
officer or commander of a regiment, passed a 
single night without being upon his legs oc- 
casionally, at different hours, and constantly an 
hour before daylight. 

At one time while the two armies were thus 
encamped near each other, about twenty of 
the most resolute inhabitants in the vicinity, 
collected together for the purpose of having a 
frolic, as they termed it, of some kind or other. 
After their arrival at the place of rendezvous, 
and a number of propositions had been logically 
discussed, they finally concluded, with more 
courage than prudence, that, by a coup-de^ 
main, they would go and bring in one of the 
British advance pickets, which was posted on 
the north bank of the middle ravine. Having, 
with much formality, selected their several offi- 
cers, and furnished themselves with suitable 
arms, and other equipments, they marched off 



158 burgoyne's campaign. 

in i/'-regular military style. The martial cos- 
tume of the Captain, for by such title he was 
addressed, exhibited the extremes of continen- 
tal etiquette, personified in one instance, by a 
sharp and huge three cocked hat, profusely 
trimmed with the threadbare fragments of 
thrown-off gold lace, surmounting a well poma- 
tumed and powdered head. A long waisted 
blue coat, turned up with rather sun-bleach- 
ed bufif, that met and parted at the same time 
on his breast ; a black silk neck-kerchief drawn 
tightly around his throat, discovering the bal- 
lance of power, or rather the center of gravity, 
to be lying some where in the region of the 
olfactory organ, completed the upper half of 
this mischief-bent volunteer officer. A pair of 
buckskin small clothes drawn tightly over a 
muscular thigh, were met at the knee by a 
pair of straight-sided boots, that, doubtless, 
by their stiffness and want of pliability prevent- 
ed any thing like an attack upon the limb in- 
side. An old white belt thrown over the whole 
man, and a heavy sabre with a leather scab- 
bard, completed the brilliant costume of this 
son of chivalry, and ir-regular friend of the 
continental congress. 

The other corn-missioned officers, for such 



BURGOINE^S CAMPAlGiN. 159 

by way of distinguishnient, were they called, 
were fully armed and accoutred in a similar 
manner, but somewhat inferior in brilliancy. 

Brown tow shirts were the panoply of the 
farmer-soldiers ; over their broad shoulders 
hung powder horns and shot bags, manufac- 
tured during the long winter evenings, and 
now and then stopped up with a corn cob, 
which had escaped the researches of the "swin- 
ish multitude." Muskets were rather uncom- 
mon among the inhabitants in those days of 
martial exploit, and in their stead, long fowl- 
ing-pieces were substituted. 

In such a group of combatants just escaped, 
as it were, from the tomahawk, hastily equipt 
for the present emergency, and bearing a gro- 
tesque appearance, the name of Steuben was 
of no more weight than the feather that danc- 
ed in the breeze. Thus armed and accoutred, 
these sons of daring interpidity, marched off 
about ten o'clock at night, with more courage 
than order, fully determined to conquer or die 
in the glorious cause of their beloved country, 
then bleeding at every pore. 

As they approached within musket-shot dis- 
tance of their unsuspecting enemy, they were 
formed, or rather formed themselves in order 



160 burgoyne's campaign. 

of battle, and advanced in three grand divi- 
sions — one by a circuitous route, to gain their 
rear, while the other two posted themselves on 
their flanks. After giving time for each party 
to gain their several positions, the resolute cap- 
tain, who was prepared for the purpose, gave 
the preconcerted signal, by a deafening blast 
on an old horse trumpet, whose martial sound 
had often cheered the mounted troops to fierce 
and bloody combat, when all, w^ith fearless 
step " rushed bravely on" with clattering arms, 
through rustling leaves and crackling brush, 
with the usual parade of a hundred men. As 
they closed in, the leaders of each division, in 
a bold and commanding voice, and before the 
guard could say *^ Who comes there ?" called, 
or rather bawled out, " Ground your arms, or 
you are all dead men !" Supposing they were 
surrounded by a much superior force, and 
deeming resistance, under such circumstances, 
of no avail, the officer of the guard gave the 
orders, when their arms were immediately 
grounded, and thirty British soldiers surren- 
dered themselves *^ prisoners of war " to only 
two-thirds of their number, and those undisci- 
plined American farmers. 

By the fourth of October the supplies of 



burgoyne's campaign. 161 

Burgoyne's army were so far reduced that the 
soldiers were placed on short allowance, and 
his position was in other respects becoming so 
critical, that hearing nothing from Sir Henry 
Clinton, for whose co-operation from New- 
York he had been waiting since the battle of 
the nineteenth, he therefore sent for Gene- 
rals Phillips, Reidesel and Frazer, to consult 
with them on the best measures to be taken. 

His project was to attack and again attempt 
to turn the left wing of the Americans at once ; 
but the other generals judged that it would be 
dangerous to leave their stores under so feeble 
a protection as eight hundred men according 
to the proposition of their commander. A 
second consultation was held on the fifth, at 
which General Reidesel positively declared 
that the situation of the army had become so 
critical, that they must either attack and force 
the entrenchments of General Gates, and thus 
bring about a favorable change of affairs, or 
recross the Hudson, and retreat upon Fort 
George. 

Frazer approved of the latter suggestion, 
and Phillips declined giving an opinion. Ge- 
neral Burgoyne, to whom the idea of retreat- 
ing was most unwelcome, having had an order 

14 



162 

promised him if he succeeded in his campaign, 
declared that he would make, on the seventh, 
a reconnoisance as near as possible to the left 
wino; of the Americans, with a view of ascer- 
taining whether it could be attacked with any 
prospect of success. He would afterwards, 
either attack the Americans, or retreat by the 
route in rear of Batten kill. This was his final 
determination, and dispositions were made ac- 
cordingly. 

During this time of dreadful preparation, 
information was received by deserters and 
otherwise, that an attack would soon be made 
by the British, upon the line of the American 
entrenchments at the Heights, near the head 
quarters of General Gates, or that a retreat 
across the Hudson would be attempted. Ac- 
cordingly, General Fellows with about fifteen 
hundred men, was detached across the river, 
and to take post on the heights opposite the 
Saratoga ford, to watch their movements, and 
prevent their passage at that place. 

In the afternoon of the sixth, an unusual 
movement was perceived in the British camp, 
and especially in that part of it which extend- 
ed across the plain near the river, which, at 
that time, induced a belief that the army were 



CAMPAIGN. 163 

about to attempt a retreat during the following 
night ; consequently, General Gates augment- 
ed his forces near the river, by drawing off a 
portion of those on the Heights preparatory 
to a close pursuit, should that be the case. 
But it afterwards appeared, that Burgoyne 
was only arranging his troops, preparatory to 
such subsequent course as might be determin- 
ed upon the next day. 

On the seventh of October, between ten 
and eleven o'clock, Burgoyne, having commit- 
ted the guard of his camp upon the high 
ground, near Freeman's Cottage, to the Bri- 
gadier-Generals Hamilton and Speckt, and 
that of the redoubts and plain near the river, 
to Brigadier-General Gall, began to move with 
about fifteen hunded meii to the northern ex- 
tremity of a low ridge of land, about three- 
fourths of a mile, and a little north of west, 
from the American camp, where they display- 
ed, formed the line, and sat down in double 
ranks. General Gates, having received infor- 
mation of their movements, despatched one of 
his aids to ascertain their position, and if pos- 
sible their intentions. He proceeded about 
half a mile to a small rise of ground, (near 
Asa Chatfield's house,) where he discovered 



164 burgoyne's campaign. 

them, about sixty rods in advance, in a wheat 
field, and foragers in the act of cutting the 
wheat or standing straw ; and several officers 
mounted on the top of a cabin (Joseph Hun- 
ger's,) from whence, with their glasses, they 
were endeavoring to reconnoitre the American 
left, which was concealed from their view by 
intervening woods. 

Soon after the return of the officer, a party 
of Canadians and Savages that were scouring 
the woods on the Hank of the British grena- 
diers as they were marching from camp, fell 
in with and attacked the American pickets, 
near the middle ravine, which were driven in, 
and followed by the grenadiers to within mus- 
ket shot distance of Gates's line of entrench- 
ments, where a tremendous discharge of can- 
non and musquetry took place, which was 
returned with equal intrepidity by the Ameri- 
cans. For about thirty minutes the action at 
the breast works, a little south of the fort, 
was maintained with great obstinacy on both 
sides. 

The grenadiers resorted repeatedly to their 
bayonets, but were as often resisted by the 
Americans, and foiled in their attempts. For 
sometime this bloody conffict continued with- 



165 

out any apparent advantage on either side, till 
at length the Americans being reinforced by a 
part of Morgan's riflemen, the assailants be- 
gun to give way, and finally retreated, with 
much loss, hotly pursued by the Americans to 
within a short distance of the British line of 
battle, which was then forming. 

A great many balls have since been picked 
up on both sides of the breast work, and even 
to this day, they are found in the direction to 
which they were fired — some of them flattened 
and others misshaped, evincing that they had 
come in collision with opposing obstacles. And 
here is one circumstance, strongly confirming 
the often repeated saying, " that the Ameri- 
cans, in addition to one musket ball, added 
two buck shot, by which they done so much 
execution," they are frequently found on the 
side of the breast w^ork to which the Americans 
fired, and not on the other, a 

About two o'clock in the afternoon, the 
British line of battle was formed across a new- 
ly cultivated piece of ground ; their grenadiers, 
under Major Ackland, and their artillery under 
Major Williams, occupied a rise of ground on 
the left, bordering on a wood and covered in 
front by the head of the middle ravine : their 



166 burgoyne's campaign, 

light-infantry under Lord Balcarras, in a south- 
western direction, and on their extreme right, 
and covered by a rail fence ; and the center was 
composed of British and German battalions, 
under Generals Phillips and Riedsel. 

In advance of the right wing, and near J. 
Hunger's, as before mentioned, were stationed 
about one thousand men, under Gen. Frazer, 
(five hundred having been withdrawn) intended 
to fall on the Americans in flank and rear, 
while the attack should be made in front. 

But General Gates, who observed their 
movements, and instantly penetrating the de- 
sign of the British general, directed Col. Mor- 
gan with his rifle corps, consisting of about fif- 
teen hundred men, by a circuitous route, and 
under cover of the woods, to take post on some 
high ground in front and flank of their advan- 
ced right, and make the attack there, as soon 
as the fire should be opened on the British left. 

Tt was concerted, that time should be allow- 
ed Col. Morgan to make the proposed circuit, 
and gain his station on the enemy's right, be- 
fore the attack should be made on the left ; 
Gen. Poor's brigade, composed of the New- 
York and New-Hampshire troops, to be sup- 
ported by a part of Learned's brigade, was or- 



burgoyne's campaign. 167 

dered for this service, and the attack was com- 
menced at about thirty minutes after two ou 
the front and flank of the British grenadiers. 
When Gen. Poor had drawn up his men in or- 
der of battle, and given them orders not to fire 
until they commenced rising the hill, there was, 
for a moment, an awful pause, — each party 
seemed to bid defiance to his opponent. At 
length, however, the grenadiers commenced the 
action by a shower of grape shot and musket 
balls, which took no other effect than to mar the 
trees above the heads of the Americans ; who 
" the din of battle now begun," rushed on firing 
and opening to the right and left, and forming 
again on the flanks, mowing down the grena- 
diers at every shot, until they gained the top 
of the hill, where a close and bloody conflict 
ensued, which lasted, with tremendous roar and 
blaze of artillery and small arms, for about thir- 
ty minutes, when the commander of the gren- 
adiers. Major Ackland, was badly wounded, 
being shot through both legs, and the grena- 
diers being too vigorously pressed, broke and 
gave way, leaving the ground thickly strewed 
with their dead and dying. In this dreadful 
struggle, one field piece was taken and retaken 
five times, and finally fell into the hands of the 



168 burgoyne's campaign*. 

Americans : upon which CoL Cilley, of New- 
Hampshire, exulting in its capture, immediate- 
ly mounted, and it being " sworn true to Ame- 
rica," was turned and fired on the British 
troops, with their own ammunition, which was 
left in the boxes. 

Soon after Gen. Poor commenced the attack 
upon the grenadiers, a flanking party of the 
British was discovered advancing, by a circuit- 
ous route, through the woods ; upon which Col. 
Cilley was ordered with his regiment to inter- 
cept them. As he approached near to a brush 
fence, the British troops rose from behind it, 
and immediately fired, but done it so hurriedly 
that only a few balls took effect. The com- 
mander of the British, then ordered his men to 
" Fix bayonets, and charge the d — d rebels." 
Col. Cilley who heard the order, responded, 
" It takes two to play at that game — charge, 
and we will try it !" The Americans charged 
at the word, and rushing upon the enemy dis- 
charged a volley in their faces, when they im- 
mediately broke and fled, leaving many of 
their number dead and wounded on the field. 

As soon as the action commenced on the 
British left. Colonel Morgan, who had posted 
his men as directed, poured down, unexpect- 



CAMPAIGN. 169 

edlj, upon the British right advance, and af- 
ter a sharp contest drove them in with much 
slaughter ; then by a sudden movement to his 
left, he fell upon the flank of the British right, 
with such impetuosity, and with a so well di- 
rected fire, that they soon fell into confusion ; 
and while attempting to change their front, 
Major Dearborn, who at that critical moment 
had arrived on the field with two regiments of 
New-England troops, poured so galling a fire 
into their flank and rear, that they soon broke, 
and were compelled to retire. They were 
however, again rallied and reformed by the 
Earl of Balcarras^ behind a fence in rear of 
their first position ; but being again attacked 
in front and flank, with so great vigor by supe- 
rior numbers, that resistance became vain, and 
the w^hole right wing gave way. 

While the battle was furiously raging here 
and at the British left, Arnold, who had be- 
come very restless after the action commenced, 
and who, without orders, determined to share 
in the danger, appeared on the field, with 
three regiments of General Learned's brigade, 
and made a spirited attack upon the center, 
composed of Hessian troops, which, at first, 
was resisted with much vigor, but at the se- 

15 



170 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN, 

cond charge, which was made with such irre- 
sistible force, Arnold, with a few brave fol- 
lowers dashing into the midst of them, that 
they broke and gave way in great disorder. 

While the whole British line was thus bro- 
ken and in much confusion, and the Americans 
pouring in their deadly fire on three sides of 
them, General Frazer, conspicuously mount- 
ed on an iron grey horse, was all activity, cou- 
rage and vigilance, riding from one part of his 
division to another, and animating the troops 
by his example. Wherever he was present, 
everything prospered, and, when confusion ap- 
peared in any part of the line, order and ener- 
gy were restored by his arrival. About this 
time Colonel Morgan, who with his rifle corps, 
was immediately opposed to Frazer's division, 
at the suggestion of Arnold, took a few of his 
riflemen aside, among whom was the celebrat- 
ed marksman, Timothy Murphy ; men in 
whose fidelity, and fatal precision of aim, he 
could repose the most perfect confidence, and 
said to them, " That gallant officer is General 
Frazer : I admire and respect him, hut it is 
necessary that he should die — take your sta- 
tions in that cluster of bushes and do your 
duty." Within a few moments, General Fra- 



burgoyne's campaign. 171 

zer fell, mortally wounded, and was carried 
off the field by a few grenadiers. 

How far such personal designation is justify- 
able, has often been questioned, but those who 
vindicate war at all, contend, that to shoot a 
distinguished officer, and thus to accelerate the 
conclusion of a bloody battle, operates to save 
lives, and that it is, morally, no worse to kill 
an illustrious than an obscure individual ; a 
Frazer than a common soldier ; a Laiorence 
than a common sailor. 

Soon after General Frazer fell, a reinforce- 
ment of three thousand New- York militia, un- 
der General Ten Broeck, came on the field, 
when the whole British line, commanded by 
Burgoyne iu person, and in about fihy min- 
utes after the action commenced, gave way 
and precipitately retreated within their en- 
trenchments, hotly pursued by the victorious 
Americans, and leaving two twelve pounders 
and six six pounders on the field — with the 
loss of about two hundred officers and men 
killed and wounded, and as many prisoners, 
and among them the flower of his officers, 
viz : Brigadier-General Frazer ; Major Ack- 
land, commanding the grenadiers ; Sir Francis 
Clark, his first aid-de-camp ; Major Williams, 



172 burgoitne's campaign. 

commanding officer of the artillery ; Captain 
Mooney, deputy quarter-master-general, and 
many others. 

An interesting incident respecting Major 
Ackland I will here insert, while I leave the 
two armies to close the most important battle 
fought during the Revolutionary war ; an ac- 
count of which, shall immediately after be 
given. 

While pursuing the flying enemy, passing 
over killed and wounded, Wilkinson says, 
he heard a voice exclaim, — " Protect me sir 
against that boy !" Turning his head, he saw 
a lad thirteen or fourteen years of age, delibe- 
rately aiming at a wounded officer, lying in 
the angle of a worm fence. The purpose of 
the boy was arrested — the officer proved to be 
the brave Major Ackland, who had command- 
ed the grenadiers, and was wounded in both 
legs. He was immediately sent to head quar- 
ters. The story of Major Ackland has been 
rendered familiar to all, even before escaping 
the nursery, by the interesting narrative of 
Lady Harriet, his wife, who was with the ar- 
my, and who, two days after the battle, came 
to the American camp, under a flag, to join 
her husband. The incident, from the embel- 



burgoyne's campaign. 173 

lishment it received, was touching and roman- 
tic. When divested of its poetry, however, 
and reduced to the plain matter of fact, ac- 
cording to the late General Dearborn, which 
he authorized to be published, the affair was 
not so very extraordinary that it might not 
have been enacted by any other pretty woman, 
under the same circumstances, who loved her 
husband. Major Ackland, who was conveyed 
from the field of battle, to my present kitch- 
en, then General Poor's quarters, where his 
wounds were dressed, and where he remained 
several days on account of their excessive in- 
flammation, was there visited by Lady Harrier, 
who remained with him, and was treated with 
all possible courtesy, until he was conveyed to 
Albany, when she was permitted to follow 
him. Major Ackland was a gallant officer and 
a generous foe. While in New- York, on pa- 
role, he did all in his power to favor the treat- 
ment of distinguished American prisoners. Af- 
ter his return to England, he sacrificed his 
life in defence of American honor. Having 
procured a regiment, at a dinner of military 
men, the courage of the Americans was ques- 
tioned. He repelled the imputation with de- 
cision. High words ensued, in the course of 



174 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

which Ackland gave the lie direct to a subordi- 
nate officer named Llojd. A meeting was the 
consequence, in which he was shot through 
the head. Lady Harriet lost her senses, and 
continued deranged two years, after which she 
married the Rev. Mr. Brudenell, the same 
gentleman who had accompanied her from the 
camp of Burgoyne, to that of General Gates, 
in search of her wounded husband. 



CHAPTER VHI. 

But to resume. The British troops had 
scarcely entered their lines, when the Ameri- 
cans, led by Arnold, pressed forward, under a 
destructive fire of grape shot and musketry, 
assaulted their works throughout their whole 
extent, from right to left, and a long, arduous 
and bloody conflict ensued, in which many 
brave men fell on both sides. 

This long and bloody contest was now 
carried on between the British behind thek 
works, and the Americans entirely exposed, 
or partially sheltered by trees, stumps or hol- 
lows at various distances ; and the tremendous 



burgoyne's campaign. 175 

roar of artillery, from one extremity of the 
line to the other, filling the air with one con- 
tinual volume of smoke and blaze — the con- 
stant peal of small arms, hurling, in rapid 
succession, their leaden messengers of death 
— and bomb after bomb, with their fiery trails, 
flaming, like meteors, through the thick and 
darkened atmosphere, presented a scene ''aw- 
fully sublime," and beyond the power of de- 
scription : 
And such as have ne'er seen them, most surely would 

fear, 
The stars had dissolved, afid the last judgment was 

near ! 

In the midst of this dreadful scene of blood 
and carnage, Arnold, at the head of a band of 
brave fellows, from Poor's and Patterson's bri- 
gades, rushing, like tigers, into the camp of 
Lord Balcarras, and encountering the British 
troops at the point of the bayonet, dealt death 
and destruction in every quarter. From thence, 
spurred boldly on, he dashed through thick 
and thin, to the extreme right of the British 
camp, occupied by the Hessian troops, where 
he was still more successful. 

This right flank defence of the enemy, oc- 
cupied by the German corps under Colonel 



176 burgoyne's Campaign. 

Brejman, consisted in a great measure, of a 
breast work of rails piled horizontally between 
perpendicular pickets, driven into the earth, 
enpotence to the rest of his line, and extended 
about two hundred yards across an open field, 
and was covered on the high ground on the 
right, by a battery of two guns. The interval 
from the left of this defence to the light infan- 
try, under Lord Balcarras, was committed to 
the defence of the Provincialists, who occu- 
pied a log bouse and barn, then owned by 
Thomas Leggett. The Germans were encamp- 
ed immediately behind the rail breastwork, and 
the ground in front of it declined in a very 
gentle slope, for about one hundred and twen- 
ty yards, when it sunk abruptly. The Ame- 
rican troops had formed a line under this decli- 
vity, and covered breast high, were warmly 
engaged with the Germans. From this posi- 
tion, about sunset, Brigadier-General Learned 
advanced towards the enemy with his brigade 
in open column, with Colonel Jackson's regi- 
ment, then in command of Lieut.-Colonel 
Brooks, in front. On his approach, he inquir- 
ed where he could '' putin " with most advan- 
tage. A slack fire was observed at an opening 
between the left of the Germans, and light 



burgoyne's campaign. 177 

infantry, occupied by the Provincialists ; and 
the general was recommended to incline to the 
right and attack that point. He did so with 
great gallantry ; the Provincialists abandoned 
their position and fled. The German flank, 
by this means being left uncovered, and Ar- 
nold arriving at the moment, and taking the 
lead of Learned's brigade, they were vigor- 
ously assaulted, overturned in a few minutes, 
and retreated in great disorder^ — leaving their 
gallant commander mortally wounded, on the 
field, and all their tents, artillery, and baggage 
in possession of the victors. 

By dislodging this corps, the whole British 
encampment was laid open to the Americans ; 
but the extreme darkness of the night, the fa- 
tigue of the men, and disorder incident to un- 
disciplined troops, after so desultory an action, 
put it out of the power of the Americans to 
improve the advantages. 

This brilliant manoeuvre with which the en- 
gagement was closed, the assault of the ene- 
my's works and driving the Hessians from their 
encampment, was undoubtedly owing to the 
intrepidity of Arnold. He gave the order, and 
by his personal bravery set an example to the 
troops, which inspired them with ardor and 



178 burgoyne's campaign. 

hurried them onward. He was shot through 
the leg whilst riding gallantly into the sally- 
port, and his horse fell dead under him. The 
success of the assault was complete and crown- 
ed the day with victory. 

Thus ended this battle, with most dreadful slaughter, 
The pride and renown of the town of Stillwater ; 
A glorious one too, for on it hung the key, 
That unlocked the tyrant's door, and set us all free ! 
'Twas the bright rising sun of our national morn — 
The herald of " glad-tidings" to millions unborn I 

At the commencement of the foregoing bat- 
tle, Quarter-Master-General, Major Lewis, 
was directed to take eight men w^ith him to the 
field, as messengers, to convey to General 
Gates, who remained at camp issuing his 
orders as circumstances required, such infor- 
mation, as might from time to time, be com- 
municated to them, respecting the progress of 
the action, and whether for or against the 
Americans. At the same time the baggage of 
the army was all loaded up, and the cavalcade 
of teams, extended from a little south of the 
fort on the Heights, along the road for near 
half a mile, under the direction of Major Chan- 
denette, as wagon-master, and to move ac- 



179 

cording to orders from the commanding gene- 
ral. The first information that arrived, re- 
presented the British troops on the field to ex- 
ceed the Americans, by so much, that it was 
thought the Americans would be forced to re- 
tire ; when the teams were ordered to, *<move 
on !" but by the time they could all be got un- 
der motion more favorable news arrived, when 
the orders were immediately countermanded, 
and the stentorian voice of the wagon-master 
was heard in the distance, "Halt!" Thus 
they continued alternately to move on and 
halt, until the joyful news "The British have 
retreated !" rang through the camp, and reach- 
ed the attentive ears of the teamsters ; and the 
scene that was then enacted, exhibited in its 
true spirit, the fire of patriotism that was kin- 
dled in the breast of every true American. 
No sooner had the exhilarating news reach 
these men, though in a subordinate station, 
than they all with one accord, off with their 
hats — swung them around their heads, and 
gave three long, loud, and deafening cheers, 
Huzzah ! Huzzah ! ! Huzzah ! ! ! which, being 
wafted, as on the wings of the wind, was 
transmitted with such rapidity from one to 
another, that, by the time the victorious troops 



180 burgoyne's campaign. 

retired from the field of battle and returned to 
quarters, much elated with their success, the 
American camp was thronged with inhabi- 
tants from the surrounding country, and pre- 
sented a scene of complicated horror and ex- 
ultation. In one part, the harmonious sound 
of drums, the exhilarating tone of fifes, here 
and there, groups of soldiers shouting victory ! 
victory ! and all eager for another contest, 
gave animation and spirit to the scene ; while 
in another, the hailing of sentinels, the rapid- 
ly moving of lights, the piercing cries of the 
wounded, and the doleful groans of the dying, 
proclaimed in language too plain to be misun- 
derstood, the complicated horrors of war ! 

Accompanying the American army were a 
great number of w^omen, principally foreigners, 
many of whom had husbands or brothers in the 
action, and many who followed merely for the 
sake of plunder, as was manifested during 
the night after the action of the 7lh October. 
The next morning after the battle, every man 
that was left dead on the field, and even those 
who were supposed to be mortally wounded, 
and not yet dead, but helpless, were found 
stript of their clothing, which rendered it al- 
most impossible to distinguish between Ame- 



BURliOYNE's CAMPAlGlN. 181 

ricaii* and British. But during the action, a 
heart-rending, and yet to some a laughable, 
scene took place in the American camp, and 
probably the same in the British. In the heat 
of the battle, and while the cannon were con- 
stantly roaring like oft peals of distant thun- 
der, and making the earth to quake from its 
very foundation, some of those women, wring- 
ing their hands, apparently in the utmost dis- 
tress, and frantically tearing their hair in the 
agony of their feelings, were heard to cry out, 
in the most lamentable exclamations, *' Och, 
my husband ! my poor husband ! Lord Jesus, 
spare my poor husband !" which would be often 
repeated, and sometimes by fifteen or twenty 
voices at once ; while the more hardened ones, 
and those rejoicing in the prospect of plunder, 
would break out in blasphemous imprecations, 
exclaiming, *' D — n your poor husband, you 
can get another!" And in this manner the 
scene continued during the action; and 1 have 
heard it observed by those who were present, 
that they could not help smiling, even through 
their tears, at the pitiful exhibition. 

The British loss during this day was about 
seven hundred killed,^ wounded and prisoners, 

* The British and Hessian troops who were killed in 



182 

and Burgojne himself very narrowly escaped, 
one ball having passed through his hat, and 
his waistcoat was torn by another. 

The American loss was inconsiderable, and 
did not exceed one hundred and fifty killed^ 
and wounded. General Arnold was among 
the latter ; who, though he had not been rein- 
stated in his command since the dispute with 
General Gates, before mentioned, rode about 

the foregoing actions, were slightly covered with earth 
and brush on the battle fields, apparently unlamented 
by friend or foe. It was not an uncommon thing, after 
the land was cleared and began to be cultivated, to see 
five, ten, and in some instances, even tv/enty human 
skulls piled up on different stumps about the fields ; 
and I have myself when a boy seen human bones thick- 
ly strewed about on the ground, which had been turn- 
ed out with the plough. 

*A little west and south of the fort on the Heights, 
now lie mouldering into dust, the remains of many of 
those martyrs to the cause of freedom, who fell in the 
battles of the 19th Sept. and 7th Oct., and not a stone, 
or other memento, to mark the hallowed spot. Often, 
when I am passing over the soil " fattened " by their 
blood, I can almost imagine to myself I hear a voice 
crying from the ground, O, my country ! my beloved 
country ! how long shall we thy fallen sons be thus neg- 
lected ? And the very hills seem to reecho back the 
wournful sound, how long ! how long I 



burgoyjne's campaign. 183 

the field, giving orders in every direction, 
sometimes in direct opposition to those of the 
commander, at others leading a platoon in per- 
son, and exposing himself to the hottest fire of 
the enemy. Being the highest officer in rank 
that appeared on the field, his orders were 
obeyed when practicable ; but all accounts 
agree that his conduct was rash in the extreme, 
indicating rather the frenzy of a mad man, 
than the considerate wisdom of an experienced 
general. He threw himself heedlessly into 
the most exposed situations, brandishing his 
sword in the air, animating his troops, and 
urging them forward. 

It is a curious fact, that an officer who had 
really no command in the army, was the lead- 
er in one of the most spirited and important 
battles of the Revolution. His madness, or 
rashness, or whatever it may be called, result- 
ed most fortunately for himself. The wound 
he received at the moment of rushing into the 
very arms of danger and death, added fresh 
lustre to his military glory, and was a new 
claim to public favor and applause. Wilkin- 
son ascribed his wild temerity to intoxication, 
but Major Armstrong, who assisted in remov- 
ing him from the field, was satisfied that this 



IB4 BURGOYr>IE°'S CAMPAIUJS. 

was not true. Others said h(3 took opium. 
This is conjecture, unsustained bj proofs of 
any kind, and consequently improbable. His 
vagaries may perhaps be sufficiently explained 
by the extraordinary circumstances of wounded 
pride, anger and desperation, in which he was 
placed. Congress relented, though with an ill 
grace at so late a period, and authorized Gen. 
Washington to send him a commission, giving 
him the full rank he had claimed. 

General Gates remained in camp during the 
whole action, that he might be the better ena- 
bled to order and regulate the various move- 
ments, as circumstances should require. 

The night of the seventh of October, was a 
most critical one for the royal army ; in the 
course of it, they abandoned their camp and 
moved to the high ground, contiguous to the 
river, and immediately in rear of their hospital. 
On the morning of the eighth, the American 
army moved forward and took possession of the 
abandoned camp, from which they kept up a 
random fire of artillery and small arms during 
the whole day. Burgoyne's troops were all day 
under arms in expectation of another attack, 
and indicating by their movements (hat they 
intended a still further retreat. In the occasion- 



iitJRGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN* 185 

h\ skirmishes of the day, General Lincoln Was 
shot in the leg) while riding near the line, by 
some of the enemy's marksmen from the oppo- 
site side of the ravine. 

The gallant Frazer, who had been mortally 
wounded the day before, died at eight o'clock 
on the morning of the eighth. On the evening 
of his fall, when it was rendered certain that 
he could not recover, he sent for General Bur- 
goyne, and requested that he might be buried 
at six o'clock the following evening in the great 
redoubt, on the hilL It was a subject of com- 
plaint against Burgoyne, that in order to com- 
ply with his request, he delayed his retreat, 
and thus contributed to the misfortunes of his 
army. Be that as it may, the dying soldier's 
request was observed to the letter. At the 
hour appointed, the body was borne to the hill 
that had been indicated, attended by the gen- 
erals and their retinues ; the funeral service 
was read by the chaplain, Mr. Brudenell, and 
the corpse interred while the balls of the Ame- 
rican cannon were flying around and above the 
assembled mourners. 

The Baroness Reidesell, who with several 
other ladies of distinction, accompanied the ar- 
my of Burgoyne, states, that General Gates 

16 



186 

protested afterwards that had he known what 
was going on, he would have stopped the 
fire immediately. And General Winslow, who 
commanded the gun which was fired on this 
occasion, sajs, that as soon as they discovered 
that it was a funeral procession, they ceased 
firing shot, and commenced firing minute-guns 
— a high minded mark of respect, sometimes 
shown, when a distinguished enemy is buried. 
This must have been a solemn spectacle, 
and General Burgoyne himself describes it 
with his usual eloquence and felicity of expres- 
sion : — " The incessant cannonade during the 
solemnity ; the steady attitude and unaltered 
voice with which the chaplain officiated, though 
frequently covered with dust, which the shot 
threw up on all sides of him ; the mute but ex- 
pressive mixture of sensibility and indignation 
upon every countenance ; these objects will re- 
main to the last of life upon the mind of every 
man who was present. The growing duski- 
ness added to the scenery, and the whole 
marked a character of that juncture, that would 
make one of the finest subjects for the pencil 
of a master, that the field ever exhibited. To 
the canvass, and to the faithful page of a more 
important historian, gallant friend ! I consign 



187 

thy meaiory. There may thy talents, thy man- 
ly virtues, their progress and their period, find 
due distinction; and long may they survive, 
after the frail record of my pen shall be for- 
gotten." 

The soldier vs^ho shot General Frazer, was 
Timothy Murphy, a Virginian, and belonged 
to Morgan's rifle corps, in which he distin- 
guished himself as a marksman, and excited 
much interest while in camp. After the 
capture of Burgoyne, the company to which 
he belonged was ordered to Schoharie, where 
it remained until their term of service expired. 
When the company was disbanded. Murphy 
and some others remained, and served in the 
militia ; his skill in the desultory war which 
the Indians carry on, gave him so high a repu- 
tation, that though not nominally the command- 
er, he usually directed all the movements of 
the scouts that were sent out, and on many 
important occasions the commanding officers 
found it dangerous to neglect his advice ; his 
double rifle, his skill as a marksman, and his 
fleetness either in retreat or pursuit, made him 
an object both of dread and of vengeance to 
the Indians : they formed many plans to de- 



188 burgoyne's campaign. 

stroj him, but he always eluded them, and 
sometimes made them suffer for their temerity. 

He fought the Indians with their own weap- 
ons. When circumstances permitted, he toma- 
hawked and scalped his fallen enemy ; he 
boasted after the war that he had slain forty of 
the enemy with his own hand, more than half 
of whom he had scalped ; he took delight m 
perilous adventures, and seemed to love dan- 
ger for danger's sake. Tradition has preserved 
the account of many of his exploits ; but there 
are so many versions of the same siory, and sd 
much evident fiction mixed with the truth, that 
the author will give but a single instance as 
proof of the dread with which he was regardetl 
by the Indians, 

They were unable to conjecture how he 
could discharge his rifle twice without having 
time to reload ; and his singular good fortune 
in escaping unhurt, led them to suppose that 
he was attended by some invisible being, who 
warded off their bullets, and sped his with un- 
erring certainty to the mark. When they had 
learned the mystery of his double-barrelled ri- 
fle, they were careful not to expose themselves 
too much until he had fired twice, knowing 
that he must have time to reload his piece be- 
fore he could do them further injury. 



burgoyne's campaign. 189 

One tlaj having separated from his party, he 
was pursued by a number of Indians, all of 
whom he outran excepting one ; Murphy turn- 
ed round, fired upon this Indian, and killed 
him. Supposing that the others had given up 
the pursuit he stopped to strip the dead, when 
the rest of his pursuers came in sight. He 
snatched the rifle of his fallen foe, and with it 
killed one of his pursuers; the rest, now sure 
of their prey, with a yell of joy heedlessly 
rushed on, hoping to make him their prisoner ; 
he was ready to drop down with fatigue, and 
was likely to be overtaken, when turning 
round, he discharged the remaining barrel of 
his rifle, and killed the foremost of the Indians ; 
the rest astonished at his firing three times in 
succession, fled, crying out that he could shoot 
all day without loading. 

Ih stature, Murphy was about five feet six 
inches, and very well proportioned, with dark 
complexion, and an eye that would kindle and 
flash like the very lightning when excited. 
He was exceedingly quick in all his motions, 
and possessed an iron frame that nothing ap- 
parently could affect : And what is very re- 
markable, his body was never wounded or 
scarred during the whole war. 



]90 burgoyne's campaign. 

It was evident from the movements in Bur- 
goyne's camp, on the evening of the eighth, 
that he was preparing to retreat ; but the 
American troops having, in the delirium of joy 
consequent upon their victory, neglected to 
draw and eat their rations — being withal not 
a little fatigued with the two days exertions, 
fell back to their camp, which had been left 
standing in the morning. Retreat was indeed 
the only alternative remaining to the British 
commander, since it was now quite certain 
that he could not cut his way through the 
American army, and his supplies were reduced 
to a short allowance for five days. That com- 
mander, w^ho, in the commencement of the 
campaign, had uttered in his general orders 
the memorable sentiment, " this army must not 
retreat," was now compelled to seek his safety 
by stealing away in the night from his victo- 
rious enemy, and leaving his hospital, contain- 
ing more than four hundred sick and wounded, 
to the mercy of General Gates, who in this as 
in all other instances, exhibited towards the 
enemy the greatest humanity and kindness. 
Numerous fires were lighted — several tents left 
standing, and the retreat was ordered to be 
conducted with the greatest secrecy. The 



burgoyne's campaign. 191 

army commenced its retrograde motion at nine 
o'clock on the evening of the 8th of October, 
pursuing the river road along the flats. It 
moved all night, and made a halt in the morn- 
ing at Do-ve-gat, (Coveville,) w^here it re- 
mained during the principal part of the ninth, 
it being an excessively rainy day. 

While the British army were halted here, a 
detachment of about three hundred American 
troops, who had been sent on to harass them 
in their retreat, overtook and made an attack 
upon their rear guard, under General Phillips, 
about a mile below, but the heavy rain pre- 
vented their effecting much. 

Before the British troops commenced their 
retrograde march, the Baroness Reidesel sug- 
gested to Lady Ackland, the propriety of re- 
joining her husband, to whom she might be of 
great service in his present situation, and 
again at this place strongly impressed upon her 
its importance. Yielding to her constant and 
friendly advice. Lady Harriet sent a message 
to General Burgoyne, through his aid-de- 
camp, Lord Petersham, to beg his permission 
to leave the army. It has been represented 
that the British commander was thunderstruck 
at the application, but gave her leave to pro- 



192 BURGOtNE^S CAMPAiaN. 

ceed, although he was utterly unable to afford 
any assistance. 

After her fatigue, and after being drenched 
in a heavy rain of twelve hours, she instantly 
proceeded on. The celebrated letter of Gen- 
eral Burgoyne to General Gates on the occa- 
sion, has often been admired, and which is 
here inserted as a specimen of that talent for 
composition, which afterwards distinguished 
the author of the " Narrative," and several ele- 
gant comedies, well known to the reading pub- 
lic. 

" Sir — Lady Harriet Ackland, a lady of the first dis- 
tinction of family, rank and personal virtues, is under 
such concern on account of Major Ackland, her hus- 
band, wounded, and a prisoner in your hands, that I 
cannot refuse her request to commit her to your protec- 
tion. What ever general impropriety there may be in 
persons in my situation and yours to solicit favors, I 
cannot see the uncommon perseverance in every female 
grace and exaltation of character of this lady, and her 
very hard fortune, vc^ithout testifying that your atten- 
tions to her will lay me under obligations. 

I am, sir, your ob't serv't, 

J. BURGOYNE." 

From the wife of a soldier she obtained a 
little spirits and water, and with this to sus- 



burgoyne's campaign. 193 

tain her, she set out in an open boat, and sail- 
ed down the river, during a violent storm of 
rain and wind, accompanied by the British 
chaplain, Brudenell, her own waiting maid, 
Sarah Pollard, and her husband's valet de 
chambre, who had been severely wounded in 
searching through the field of battle for his 
master, when first missing. 

An impression has gone abroad, sanctioned 
not only by gentlemen belonging to Bur- 
goyne's army, but by that general himself, that 
this ill-fated and amiable female was kept all 
night in the boat, and not permitted to land 
until morning. This is not the fact. In ten 
minutes after the boat was hailed by the sen- 
tinel of the advance guard, she was invited 
to the quarters of Major Dearborn, (since so 
distinguished as a general officer,) where she 
received every attention in his power to be- 
stow, and was made happy by the intelligence 
of her husband's safety. In the morning be- 
fore sunrise, through the politeness of Gene- 
rel Gates, she was conveyed to the quarters of 
General Poor on the Heights, to her wounded 
husband ; where she remained until he was 
conveyed to Albany. The resolution and firm- 
ness of this lady excited a great sensation 

17 



194 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

throughout the American camp, while the ten- 
der devotion which she displayed towards her 
husband, " won her golden opinions " of all 
sorts of people. 

While the British army on their advance 
were encamped at Do-ve-gat, (Coveville) Ma- 
jor Ackland's tent took fire, and Lady Harriet 
and himself were nearly lost in the flames. 
The Major being with the advance guard, and 
obliged to be very diligent in attending to his 
command, in consequence of the difficulty and 
danger of his position, kept a candle burning in 
his tent. A Newfoundland dog, of which they 
were very fond, unfortunately pushed the can- 
dle from a table or chair where it was stand- 
ing ; it fell against the side of the tent, and 
instantly the whole was in a blaze. A soldier 
who was keeping guard near them, rushed in 
and dragged Major Ackland from the fiames, 
while Lady Harriet crept out almost uncon- 
sciously through the back part of the tent. 
When she looked round she saw with horror 
her husband rushing into the flames in search 
of her. Again the soldier brought him out, 
though not without considerable injury to both. 
Everything in the tent was consumed ; but the 
Major and his lady were too happy to see each 



burgoyjse's campaign. 195 

other in safety to regret the loss of their camp 
equipage. 

It may not be amiss to state, that this ad- 
mired and beautiful woman had already been 
subjected to great inconveniences and distress, 
before the army arrived at Saratoga. She had 
been distinguished by her devotion and unre- 
mitting attention to her husband, when he lay 
sick at Chamblee, in a miserable hut, encoun- 
tering every inconvenience, and subjected to 
every privation. She was indeed not only the 
idol of her husband, but the admiration of the 
army, continually making little presents to the 
officers belonging to her husband's corps, when- 
ever she had anything among her stores wor- 
thy of acceptance. She experienced in return 
from them every attention which could miti- 
gate the hardships she daily was obliged to 
encounter. 

When her husband was wounded at Hub- 
bardton, she again, like a guardian angel, ho- 
vered round him, and watched him until he 
was restored to health. The moment she 
heard of his being wounded she hastened from 
Montreal, where she had intended to remain, 
and crossed the lake in opposition to her hus- 
band's injunctions, resolved to share his fate 
and be separated from him no more. 



196 burgoyne's campaign. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Previous to the action of the seventh, Ge- 
neral Gates, anticipating the retreat of the 
enemy, had ordered General Fellows, with 
about fifteen hundred men, as before mention- 
ed, to cross the river, and take post on the 
heights opposite the Saratoga ford, supposing 
that he might be able to reinforce him before 
Burgojne could reach that place. But the re- 
treat of the British army being earlier than he 
expected, and the circumstances of the heavy 
rain on the ninth, preventing him from pursu- 
ing immediately with the main army, or send- 
ing off any considerable detachment. General 
Fellows was placed in a critical situation, and 
nothing saved his detachment from destruction 
or capture, but the very slow movements of 
Burgoyne, occasioned by the heavy rain and the 
badness of the roads ; so that he did not reach 
Saratoga (Schuylerville,) until the morning of 
the tenth. By this time General Fellows had 
received orders to recross the river and endea- 
vor to oppose their passage, which he did just 
as the front of the British army crossed Fish 



burgoyne's campaign. 197 

creek, and in time to post himself advantage- 
ously on the opposite side of the river. On 
the evening before, his camp was so entirely 
unguarded, that Lieutenant-Colonel Souther- 
land, who had been sent forward by Burgoyne 
to reconnoitre, marched round it without meet- 
ing a sentinel, and was so strongly impressed 
with the conviction that he could surprise him, 
that he solicited permission to attack him with 
his single regiment, and it was perhaps fortu- 
nate for General Fellows that Burgoyne re- 
fused. In the mean time several other bodies of 
militia were posted, to intercept the retreat of 
Burgoyne, in various directions, and one de- 
tachment was ordered to march immediately 
to Fort Edward, and take possession before 
any part of Burgoyne's troops could reach it. 
The rain on the ninth and morning of the 
tenth, prevented General Gates from marching 
until about noon. When the advance of the 
army reached Saratoga, about four o'clock in 
the afternoon, the British were encamped on 
the heights beyond Fish creek ; their boats lay 
at the mouth of the creek and a fatigue party 
were at work in removing the baggage from 
the creek to the heights. Gen. Fellows with his 
corps were on the opposite bank of the river, 



198 burgoyne's campaign. 

with a couple of small field pieces on the flats, 
plajing upon the enemy's fatigue party. Ge- 
neral Gates on his arrival posted the army in 
several lines on the heights about a mile in the 
rear of Fish creek, with Colonel Morgan's 
corps in front. Under the idea that the enemy 
would retreat in the night, General Gates gave 
orders that the army should advance at reveih 
lee in the morning of the eleventh. A small 
detachment had been sent off by Burgoyne to 
possess themselves of Fort Edward, but Col. 
Cochran with about two hundred men, had 
already taken possession of that place, and on 
the arrival of the British detachment at Dead- 
man's point, on the opposite side of the river, 
piles of logs and brush, which had been col- 
lected, on the first rise of Fort Edw^ard hill, 
by the British on their advance, having now 
become dry, were set on fire in the night, 
which at a distance, had the appearance of a 
large encampment. When the British troops 
saw the fire they, supposing the American 
forces to be as numerous in front as in their 
rear, hastily retreated to their camp at Fish 
creek. 

The movement of this detachment had giv- 
en rise to the information which deceived Ge- 



burgoyne's campaign. 199 

neral Gates, that the whole British army had 
moved off, leaving a small guard only in the 
camp to take care of the baggage and stores. 
Upon this intelligence it was determined to 
attack the camp early in the morning ; and 
Brigadier-Generals Nixon and Glover were 
ordered to cross the creek with their brigades 
for this purpose. 

Colonel Morgan advancing with his corps at 
daylight agreeably to orders fell in with the 
enemy's picket, by whom he was fired upon, 
and lost a lieutenant and several privates. This 
induced him to believe that the enemy had not 
moved as supposed, in which case his situation 
would be extremely critical, as the fog was so 
thick that nothing could be seen at the dis- 
tance of twenty yards ; a winding creek was 
in his rear, and he was unacquainted with the 
grounds. In this dilemma he was met by the 
deputy-adjutant-general. Colonel Wilkinson, 
who had been sent out by General Gates, for 
the purpose of reconnoitering. Wilkinson re- 
turned immediately to communicate this intel- 
ligence to the General, and Patterson's and 
Learned's brigades, both under the command 
of the latter, and Colonel Woodbridge's regi- 
ment, were sent to the support of Morgan. 



200 burgoyne's campaign. 

In the meantime the whole army advanced as 
far as the ridge between the church and Fish 
creek, where they halted. Generals Nixon and 
Glover were in advance, marching according 
to orders to the attack of the camp. Nixon 
had already crossed the creek, and surprised a 
British picket in old Fort Hardy, and Glover 
was preparing to follow him, when a deserter 
from the enemy was observed fording the 
creek, from whom information was received 
that Burgoyne with his whole army were still in- 
his camp. This was confirmed by the capture 
of a reconnoitering party of a subaltern and thir- 
ty-five men, by the advance guard of fifty un- 
der Captain Goodale, of Putnam's regiment,, 
who discovered them through the fog just as he 
reached the bank of the creek, and making a 
resolute charge upon them^ took them without 
firing a gun. General Gates was at this time 
a mile in the rear, and before this intelligence 
could be communicated to him, and orders re-- 
ceived for the two brigadiers to desist and re- 
cross the creek, the fog cleared up, and ex- 
posed to view the whole British army under 
arms* 

A heavy fire of artillery and small anns was- 
immediately opened upon Nixon's brigade. 



bcjrgoyne's campaign. 201 

which was in advance, and they retreated in 
considerable disorder across the creek, with a 
trifling loss, and resumed their position. 

General Learned had in the meantime reach- 
ed Morgan's corps with his two brigades, and 
was advancing rapidly to the attack, in obe- 
dience to a standing order which had been 
issued the day before, '' That in case of an at- 
tack against any point, whether front, flank or 
rear, the troops are to fall on the enemy at all 
quarters." He had arrived within two hundred 
yards of Burgoyne's strongest post, and in a 
few minutes more would have been en staged 
under great disadvantages, when Colonel Wil- 
kinson reached him with intelligence that our 
right wing had given way, and that it would 
be prudent for him to retreat. Being without 
authority from General Gates to order it, the 
brave old general hesitated to obey, in opposi- 
tion to the standing order, until Lieutenant- 
Colonels Brooks and Tupper and some other 
officers coming up, a sort of council was held, 
and the proposition to retreat was approved. 

The moment they turned their backs, the 
enemy who had been calmly expecting their 
advance, opened a fire upon them, which con- 
tinued until they were masked by the woods. 



202 burgoyne's campaign. 

General Gates was immediately informed of 
the incident ; he revoked all the orders he had 
given, and directed that the troops should be 
reconducted to their several positions ; Mor- 
gan at the same time taking post in flank and 
rear of the British right. 

The following facts respecting Col. Cochran, 
I obtained through the politeness of Miss Caro- 
line Ogden, an interesting maiden lady, and 
grand- daughter of the colonel, who now resides 
with J. T. M'Cown, Esq., in the city of Troy. 

Colonel Cochran having been sent to Cana- 
da as a spy, his mission was suspected, and a 
larp:e bountv offered for his head. While 
there he was taken sick, and knowing that he 
was suspected, concealed himself, for the space 
of a few days, in a brush heap, within about 
two miles of the American lines, unable to 
make his escape, or even to walk. Having 
suffered much from his sickness and want of 
nourishment, and having discovered a log cabin 
at considerable distance from where he was 
concealed, and the only one in sight, he crept 
to it on his hands and knees, for the purpose of 
soliciting assistance. On his approach to the 
rear of the cabin, he heard three men in ear- 
nest conversation, and as it happened he was 



BURGOYNe's CAxMFAIGN. 20S 

the subject of their discourse. Having heard 
of the heavy bounty that was offered for the 
Colonel, and having seen a man in the vicinity 
a few days before, answering the description 
of him, they were then forming their plans, 
and expressing their determination to find his 
whereabouts, and take him for the sake of 
the bounty. One of the men was the owner 
of the cabin, whose wife was also present, 
and the others were his brother and brother- 
in-law. Soon after this conversation took 
place, and the three men having departed in 
pursuit, he crept into the cabin, and frankly 
told the woman, who seemed favorably im- 
pressed towards him, on account of his almost 
helpless condition, that he had overheard the 
conversation, and that/ie was the man of whom 
they were in search, and that he should throw 
himself entirely upon her mercy, and trust to 
her fidelity for protection, which she very 
kindly promised him, to the utmost of her 
ability. Having administered some restora- 
tives, which seemed to give relief, and given 
him some suitable nourishment, he lay down 
on a bed in the room, for the purpose of tak- 
ing some repose, which he very much needed. 
After the men had been absent some three 



204 burgoyne's campaign. 

hours, they again returned, when she conceal- 
ed him in a closet, or sort of cupboard, stand- 
ing by the side of the fire-place, and shut the 
door, taking good care while the men were in 
the house, to keep near it herself, that if any- 
thing should be wanted from within, she might 
be ready to get it herself. During the time 
the men were in the cabin, they expressed 
much confidence in the belief, that the colonel 
was concealed somewhere in the vicinity, and 
named many places in which they intended to 
search for him ; all of which he in his place of 
concealment overheard. Having taken some 
food, and otherwise prepared themselves, the 
men again departed, in order to renew their 
search. 

Soon after they retired, and the woman 
considering the Colonel's present situation not 
long safe, she proposed that he should conceal 
himself at some distance from the cabin, where 
she might clandestinely bring him food, and 
render him such other assistance as he needed, 
and accordingly directed him to take post on 
a certain hill about half a mile off, where he 
might be able to discover any person on their 
approach, and to flee, if he was able, and it 
became necessary. On his manifesting an in- 



205 

clination to resume his former position in the 
brush heap, which was in the midst of quite a 
patch of ground that had been cut over for a 
fallow, she told him that her husband intended 
to burn it over the next day, and in that case 
he would certainly be discovered, or perish in 
the conflagration; upon which he submitted 
entirely to her proposition and directions, and 
crept along to the hill in the best way he could. 
He remained sometime in this place of con- 
cealment, undiscovered by any one except this 
faithful Rahab of the forest, who rendered him 
suitable and timely assistance, and like a good 
Samaritan poured in the "oil and the wine," 
until his strength was in a measure restored, 
and he was again enabled to return to his 
country and his home. 

Some years after the close of the war, and 
while the Colonel lived at Ticonderoga, he ac- 
cidently came across this kind hearted woman, 
whose name, I much regret, I have not been 
able to ascertain, and rewarded her handsome- 
ly for her fidelity. 

Colonel Cochran died 1822, near Sandy 
Hill, Washington county. New York, much 
lamented by a large circle of friends and ac- 



206 burgoyne's cAMPAicrf. 

quaintances, and was buried in the family 
burying ground at Fort Edward. 

Here loo, those warrior sires with honor rest, 
Who braved in freedom's cause the valiant breast ; 
Lo ! here they rest, who every danger braved. 
Unmarked, unlrophied, 'mid the soil they saved. 

A few days more of anxiety, fatigue and suf- 
fering remained for the British army. They 
had lost part of their provision batteaux, taken 
by the Americans while on their retreat, and 
the rest being exposed to imminent danger, 
the small stock of provisions remaining, was 
landed under a heavy fire, and hauled up the 
heights. On these heights near to the flats 
bordering on the river, was formed their forti- 
ed camp, extending over half a mile in rear, 
and strengthened by artillery ; most of their 
artillery however, was back on the plain, and 
on an elevated piece of ground northeast of the 
present village of Schuylerville. Gen. Gates's 
army was encamped on the south side of Fish 
creek and parallel to it, the corps of Colonel 
Morgan lay west and northwest of the British 
army, and General Fellows, whose forces were 
now increased to two thousand men, was on 



207 

the east side of the Hudson, readj to dispute 
the passage of that stream should it be attempt- 
ed. Fort Edward was occupied by the Amer- 
icans — a fortified camp was formed on the high 
ground between this fort and Fort George, 
and numerous parties were stationed up and 
down the river ; thus the desperate resolution 
which had been taken in General Burgojne's 
camp, of abandoning their artillery and bag- 
gage and (with no more provisions than they 
could carry on their backs,) forcing their way 
by a rapid night march, in this manner gain- 
ing one of the lakes, was rendered abortive. 

Every part of the royal army was now ex- 
posed, not only to cannon balls, but to rifle 
shot ; not a single place of safety could be 
found, not a corner where a council could be 
held, a dinner taken in peace, or where the 
sick and the wounded, the females and the 
children could find an asylum. Even the ac- 
cess to the river was rendered very hazardous 
by the numerous rifle shot, and the army was 
soon distressed for want of water. General 
Reidesel, and his lady and children, w^ere of- 
ten obliged to drink wine instead of water, 
and they had no way to procure the latter, ex- 
cept that a soldier's wife ventured to the river 



208 BURGOtNE's CAMPAIGN* 

for them, and the Americans, out of respect 
to her sex, did not fire at her. 

To protect his family from shot, the Baron 
de Reidesel, soon after their arrival at Sarato- 
ga, directed them to take shelter in Lemson's 
house (now Mrs. Bushee's,) about a mile up 
the river, and opposite to the mouth of Batten 
kill. They had scarcely reached it, before a 
terrible cannonade from the heights on the op- 
posite side of the river was directed against 
that very house, upon the mistaken idea, that 
all the generals were assembled in it ; "Alas," 
adds the Baroness, " it contained none but 
wounded and women ; we were at last obliged 
to resort to the cellar for refuge, and in one 
corner of this I remained the whole day, my 
children sleeping on the earth with their heads 
in my lap, and in the same situation, I passed 
a sleepless night. Eleven cannon balls passed 
through the house, and we could distinctly 
hear them roll away. One poor soldier who 
was lying on a table, for the purpose of having 
his leg amputated, was struck by a shot which 
carried away the other ; his comrades had left 
him, and when we found him he was in the 
corner of the room, into which he had crept, 
more dead than alive, scarcely breathing. My 



burgoyne's campaign. 209 

reflections on the danger to which my husband 
was exposed, now agonized me exceedingly, 
and the thoughts of my children, and the 
necessity of struggling for their preservation, 
alone sustained me. In this horrid situation 
we remained six days." In such a state of cir- 
cumstances, it was alike impossible to advance 
or remain as they were ; and the longer they 
delayed to take a definitive resolution, the 
more desperate became their situation. Bur- 
goyne, therefore, immediately called a council 
of war, at which not only the generals and 
field officers, but all the captains of companies 
were invited to assist. While they delibe- 
rated, the balls of the Americans whistled 
around them, and frequently pierced even the 
tent where the council was convened. It was 
determined unanimously to open a treaty and 
enter into a convention with General Gates. 

On the 14th of October, General Burgoyne 
sent Major Kingston to the head quarters of 
General Gates, with a proposition for " a ces- 
sation of arms, during the time necessary to 
communicate the preliminary terms ; by which 
in any extremity he and the army mean to 
abide." General Gates had already prepared 
a schedule of the terms upon which he was 

18 



210 burgoyne's campaign. 

willing to treat. This schedule evinced that he 
was well acquainted with the distresses of the 
British, and was drawn up in terms of extreme 
liberality. To the 9th article of General Bur- 
goyne's proposition, General Gates affixed the 
following answer : 

The capitulation to be finished by two o'- 
clock this day, the 15th, and the troops march 
from their encampment at five, and be in readi- 
ness to move towards Boston to-morrow morn- 
ing. These preliminary articles and their an- 
swers, being sent to General Burgoyne, pro- 
duced the immediate return of his messenger 
with the following note. '' The eight first 
preliminary articles of Lieutenant General Bur- 
goyne's proposals, and the 2d, 3d, and 4th of 
those of Major-General Gates, of yesterday, be- 
ing agreed to, the formation of the proposed 
treaty is out of dispute : but the several sub- 
ordinate articles and regulations necessarily 
springing from these preliminaries, and requir- 
ing explanation and precision, between the 
parties, before a definitive treaty can be safely 
executed, a longer time than that mentioned 
by Generel Gates in his answer to the ninth ar- 
ticle, becomes indispensably necessary. Lieu- 
tenant-General Burgoyne is willing to appoint 



burgoyne's campaign. 211 

two officers immediately, to meet two others 
from Major-General Gates, to propound, dis- 
cuss, and settle those subordinate articles, in 
order that the treaty in due form may be exe- 
cuted as soon as possible." 

This meeting took place on the afternoon of 
the 15th, and the parties mutually signed ar- 
ticles of capitulation, or convention, as Ge- 
neral Burgoyne wished to have it designated, 
A copy of the convention was to be signed by 
General Burgoyne, and delivered the next 
morning. 

In the night, an express arrived at the Bri- 
tish camp from General Clinton, with the in- 
telligence that he had moved up the Hudson, 
reduced Fort Montgomery, and penetrated as 
far as Esopus. This information seemed to 
revive a hope of safety in the breast of Bur- 
goyne ; he therefore called a meeting of the 
officers to declare, whether in a case of ex- 
tremity, the soldiers were in a situation to 
fight, and whether they considered the public 
faith as pledged by the verbal convention. A 
great number answered, that the soldiers, de- 
bilitated by fatigue and hunger, were unable 
to make resistance ; all were decidedly of the 
opinion, that the public faith was engaged^ 



212 burgoyne's campaign. 

Burgojne alone manifested a contrary opinion. 
Meanwhile General Gates, apprised of these 
hesitations of the British commander, and the 
new hopes which occasioned them, formed his 
troops in order of battle on the morning of the 
sixteenth, and sent to inform Burgojne, that 
the stipulated time being arrived, he must 
either sign the articles, or prepare himself for 
battle. The Englishman no longer hesitated, 
but took his resolution ; he signed the paper, 
which was in the following words : 

Articles of Convention between Lieutenant-General 
Burgoyne and Major-Geiieral Gates. 

1st. "The troops under Lieutenant General Bur- 
goyne, to march out of their camp with the honors of 
war, and the artillery of entrenchments, to the verge 
of the river where the old fort stood, where the arms 
and artillery are to be left ; the arms to be piled by 
word of command from their own officers. 

2d. A free passage to be granted to the army under 
Lieutenant-General Burgoyne to Great Britain, on 
condition of not serving again in North America dur- 
ing the present contest ; and the port of Boston is as- 
signed for the entry of transports to receive the troops, 
whenever General Howe shall so order. 

3d. Should any cartel take place, by whicli the ar- 
my under General Burgoyne, or any part of it, may be 



burgoyne's campaign. 213 

exchanged, the foregoing articles to be void as far as 
such exchange should be made. 

4th. The army under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, 
to march to Massachusetts Bay, by the easiest, most ex- 
peditious, and convenient route, and be quartered in, 
near, or as convenient as possible to Boston, that the 
march of the troops may not be delayed, when the 
transports shall arrive to receive them. 

5th. The troops to be supplied on their march, and 
during their being in quarters, with provisions by Gen. 
Gates's orders, at the same rate of rations as the troops 
of his own army ; and if possible, the officers' horses 
and cattle are to be supplied with forage at the usual 
rates. 

6th. All officers to retain their carriages, battle- 
horses, and other cattle, and no baggage to be molest- 
ed or searched ; Lieutenant-General Burgoyne giving 
his honor that there are no public stores secreted there- 
in. Major-General Gates will of course take the ne- 
cessary measures for the due performance of this arti- 
cle. vShould any carriages be wanted during the 
march for the transportation of officers' baggage, they 
are if possible, to be supplied. 

7th. Upon the march, and during the time the army 
shall remain in quarters in Massachusetts Bay, the offi- 
cers are not as far as circumstances will admit, to be 
separated from their men. The officers are to be 
quartered according to rank, and are not to be hinder- 
ed from assembhng their men for roll-call, and the 
necessary purposes of regularity. 



214 burgoyne's campaign. 

8th. All corps whatever of General Burgoyne's army 
whether composed of sailors, batteaux men, artificers, 
drivers, independent companies, and followers of the 
army of whatever country, shall be included in every 
respect as British subjects. 

9th. All Canadians, and persons belonging to the 
Canadian establishment, consisting of sailors, batteaux 
men, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and 
many other followers of the army, who come under 
no particular description, are to be permitted to return 
there; they are to be conducted immediately by the 
shortest route to the first British post on Lake George, 
are to be supplied with provisions in the same manner 
as the other troops, are to be bound by the same con- 
dition of not serving during the present contest in 
North America. 

10th. Passports to be immediately granted for three 
officers not exceeding the rank of captains, who shall 
be appointed by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, to carry 
despatches to Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, 
and to Great Britain by the way of New York ; and Maj. 
General Gates engages the public faith, that these des- 
patches shall not be opened. These officers are to set 
out immediately after receiving their despatches, and 
are to travel the shortest route, and in the most expe- 
ditious manner. 

11th. During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts 
Bay, the officers are to be admitted on parole, and are 
to be allowed to wear their side arms. 



burgoyne's campaign. 215 

12th. Should the army under Lieutenant-General 
Burgoyne find it necessary to send for their clothing 
and other baggage to Canada, they are to be permitted 
to do it in the most convenient manner, and the neces- 
sary passports granted for that purpose. 

13th. These articles are to be mutually signed and 
exchanged to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, and 
the troops under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, are to 
march out of their entrenchments at three o'clock in 
the afternoon. 

(Signed) HORATIO GATES, Maj. Gen. 
(Signed) J. BURGOYNE, Lieut. Gen. 

Saratoga, Oct. 16, 1777. 

To prevent any doubts that might arise from Lieu- 
tenant-General Burgoyne's name not being mentioned 
in the above treaty, Major-General Gates hereby de- 
clares, that he is understood to be comprehended in it, 
as fully as if his name had been specifically mentioned. 

HORATIO GATES. 

The brass artillery captured from Burgoyne 
at various times during the campaign, amount- 
ed to forty-two pieces, constituting one of the 
most elegant trains ever brought into the field ; 
five thousand stand of arms ; six thousand 
dozen of cartridges ; and a number of ammu- 
nition wagons, travelling forges, shot, carcases, 
shells, &c., &c., also fell into the hands of the 
Americans. The whole number of trooi^« 



216 



CAMPAIGN. 



surrendered bj the convention amounted to 
five thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two, 
which, added to the number killed, wounded 
and captured in the several actions previous 
to the 17th of October, amounting to near five 
thousand, makes Burgojne's total loss up- 
wards of ten thousand men. 

In the morning of the 17th, Colonel Wilk- 
inson was directed to visit General Burgoyne 
in his camp, and accompany him to the green 
in front of old Fort Hardy, on the north bank 
of Fish creek, and near its intersection with 
the Hudson, where his army was to lay down 
their arms, from thence they rode to the mar- 
gin of the river, which he surveyed with at- 
tention, and asked whether it was not fordable. 
*' Certainly, sir ; but do you observe the peo- 
ple on the opposite shore ?" " Yes," he replied, 
" I have seen them too long!" He then pro- 
posed to be introduced to General Gates, and 
they crossed Fish creek, and proceeded to 
head-quarters. General Burgoyne in front, 
with his Adjutant-General Kingston, and his 
aids-de-camp Captain Lord Petersham, and 
Lieutenant Wilford behind him ; then follow- 
ed Major-General Phillips, the Baron Reide- 
sel, and the other general officers, and their 



burgoyne's campaign. 217 

suits, according to rank. General Gates, ad- 
vised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the 
head of his camp about three-fourths of a mile 
south of Fish creek, Burgoyne, in a rich royal 
uniform, and Gates in a plain blue frock ; 
when they had approached nearly within 
sword's length, they reined up and halted. 
The Colonel then named the gentlemen, and 
General Burgoyne, raising his hat, most grace- 
fully, said, " The fortune of war, General 
Gates, has made me your prisoner ;" to which 
the conqueror, returning a courtly salute, 
promptly replied, " I shall always be ready to 
bear testimony, that it has not been through 
any fault of your excellency." 

Major General Phillips then advanced, and 
he and General Gates saluted and shook hands 
with the familiarity of old acquaintances. The 
Baron Reidesel, and the other officers, were 
introduced in their turn. 

After the introductory ceremony was gone 
through, Burgoyne, with his general officers, 
was invited to the head quarters of General 
Gates, and entertained by him at dinner. They 
were received with the utmost courtesy, and 
with the consideration due to brave but unfor- 
tunate men. The conversation was unre- 

19 



218 



burgoyne's campaign. 



strained, affable, and free. Indeed the con- 
duct of General Gates throughout, after the 
terms of surrender had been adjusted, was 
marked with equal delicacy and magnanimity, 
as Burgoyne himself admitted in a letter to the 
Earl of Derby. In that letter the captive ge- 
neral particularly mentioned one circumstance 
which, he said, exceeded all he had ever seen 
or read of on a like occasion. It was the fact, 
that when the British soldiers had marched out 
of their camp to the place where they were to 
pile their arms, not a man of the American 
troops ivas to be seen — General Gates having 
ordered his whole army out of sight, that not 
one of them should be a spectator of the hu- 
miliation of the British troops, nor offer the 
smallest insult to the vanquished. This was a 
refinementofdelicacy and of military generosity 
and politeness, reflecting the highest credit upon 
the conqueror ; and was spoken of by the offi- 
cers of Burgoyne in the strongest terms of 
approbation. 

After the British troops left their encamp- 
ment, and had marched to the " green " in front 
of Old Fort Hardy,* where they deposited their 

* Fort Hardy, is a military work thrown up and oo- 



219 

arms, and emptied their cartridge boxes ; they 
were again formed in line, with the light in- 
fantry in front, and escorted by a company of 
light dragoons, preceeded by two officers 
mounted, and bearing the stars and stripes 
waving triumphantly, through the American 
camp. On their approach, and as they march- 
ed between the long lines of victorious troops, 
who were then paraded on opposite sides of 
the road, for near a mile in extent. 

The American Band, with cheerful sound 
Of sonorous Drum, French horn and Bugle, 

Made the neighboring hills, in joy, resound, 
To the thund'ring tune of Yankee Doodle ! 

At this moment the two Generals came out of 
Gates's marquee together. The American com- 

cupied by the French, under General Dieskau, in the 
year 1755. The lines of entrenchment embrace about 
fifteen acres of ground. The outer works yet retain the 
appearance of a strong fortification, bounded south by 
the north side of Fish creek, and east by the right bank 
of the Hudson. Human bones, fragments of fire-arms, 
swords, balls, tools, implements, and broken crockery, 
are frequently picked up on this ground. 

hi excavating the earth for the Champlain Canal, 
which passes a few rods west of this Fort, such num- 
bers of human skeletons were found, as made it highly 
probable this was the cementry of the French garrison. 



220 burgoyne's campaign. 

mander faced front, andBurgoyne did the same, 
standing on his left. Not a word was spoken 
bj either, and for some minutes, they stood 
silently gazing on the scene before them — 
the one, no doubt, in all the pride of honest 
success ; the other, the victim of regret and 
sensibility. Burgoyne was a large and stoutly 
formed man, his countenance was rough and 
hard, but he had a handsome figure and noble 
air. Gates was a smaller man, with much less 
of manner, and destitute of that air which 
distinguished Burgoyne. Presently General 
Burgoyne as by previous understanding, step- 
ped back, drew his sword, and in the face of 
the two armies, as it were, presented it to 
General Gates, who received and instantly re- 
turned it in the most courteous manner. They 
then returned to the marquee. 

The British troops now filed off, with the 
light infantry still in advance, and the Hessians 
came lumbering in the rear. Their heavy caps 
alone were equal to the weight of the whole 
equipment of a light infantry soldier. It was 
well known that their services had been sold 
by their own petty princes, that they were col- 
lected together, if not caught^ at their church- 
es while attending religious worship ; and if we 



221 

may credit the account given us, they were 
actually torn from their homes and handed over 
to the British government at so much a head, 
to be transported across the ocean, and wage 
war against a people of whose history, and 
even of whose existence they were ignorant. 
They were found almost totally unfit for the 
business they were engaged in. They were 
unable to march through the woods and en- 
counter the difficulties incident to movements 
in our then almost unsettled country. Many 
of them deserted to our army before and after 
the convention of Saratoga. 

Among those German troops, were the 
Hesse Hanau regiment, ReidesePs dragoons, 
and Speckt's regiment, the most remarkable 
of the whole. The officers of distinction who 
accompanied them, were, Major-General Bar- 
on de Reidesel, Q,uarter-Master-General Gos- 
back, Adjutant-General Poelnic, Secretary 
Langemegen, Brigadier-General Speckt, Brig- 
adier-General Goll, and some others. The 
Hessians were extremely dirty in their persons, 
and had a collection of wild animals in their 
train — the only thing American they had cap- 
tured. Here could be seen an artillery-man 
leading a black grizzly bear, who every now 



222 btjrgoyne's campaign. 

and then would rear upon his hind legs as if 
he were tired of going upon all fours, or occa- 
sionally growl his disapprobation at being pulled 
along by his chain. In the same manner a 
tamed deer would be seen tripping lightly after 
a grenadier. Young foxes were also observed 
looking sagaciously at the spectators from the 
top of a baggage wagon, or a young racoon 
securely clutched under the arm of a sharp 
shooter. There were a great many women 
accompanying the Germans, and a miserable 
looking set of oddly dressed, Gypsey featured 
females they were. 

It is said that no insults were offered to the 
prisoners as they marched off, and they felt 
grateful for it. However, after they got out of 
the camp, many of the British soldiers were 
extremely abusive, cursing the rebels and their 
own hard fate. The troops were escorted by 
some of the New England militia, and crossed 
the river at Stillwater, on a bridge of rafts, 
which had been constructed by the Americans 
while the army were encamped on Bemis's 
Heights. 

On the night of the surrender, a number of 
Indians and Squaws, the relics of Burgoyne's 
aboriginal force, were quartered under a strong 



CAMPAIGN. 223 

guard for safe keeping. Without this precau- 
tion their lives would not have been safe from 
the exasperated militia. 

The murder of Miss M'Crea was but one 
of a number of their atrocities, which harden- 
ed every heart against them, and prevented the 
plea of mercy from being interposed in their 
behalf. 

Among these savages were three, that were 
between six and seven feet in height, perfect 
giants in form, and possessing the most fero- 
cious countenances. And among them, was 
recognized the same Indian with whom my 
father had the encounter at Ensign's. 

Blood and carnage were now succeeded by 
success and plunder. The clouds of battle 
rolled away, and discovered hundreds of search- 
ers after the relics of the tented field. 



CHAPTER X. 

While the British army lay on the north bank 
of Fish creek, the east side of the river, in 
addition to the regular troops, was lined with 
American militia. One of them, an expert 



224 burgoyne's campaign. 

swimmer, discovered a number of the enemy's 
horses feeding in a meadow of General Schuy- 
ler's, opposite, and asked permission of his 
captain to go over and get one of them. It 
was given, and the man instantly stripped, and 
swam across the river. He ascended the bank 
and selecting a fine bay horse for his prize, 
approached the animal, siezed, and mounted 
him instantly. This last was the work of a 
moment. He forced the horse into a gallop^ 
plunged down the bank and brought him safely 
over to the American camp, although a volley 
of musketry was fired at him from a party of 
British soldiers posted at a distance beyond. 
His success was hailed with enthusiasm, and 
it had a corresponding effect on his own ad- 
venturous spirit. After he had rested himself, 
he went to his officer and remarked, that it 
was not proper that a private should ride, 
whilst his commander went on foot. '' So, 
sir," added he, " if you have no objections, I 
will go and catch another for you, and next 
winter when we are home, we will have our 
own fun in driving a pair of Burgoyne's horses." 
The captain seemed to think it would be rather 
a pleasant thing, and gave a ready consent. 
The fellow actually went across the second 



burgoyne's campaign. 225 

time, and with equal success, and brought over 
a horse that matched exceedingly well with 
the other. The men enjoyed this prank very 
much, and it was a circumstance familiar to 
almost every one in the army at that time. 

Another circumstance happened about the 
same time, and shows that families were not 
only divided in feeling on the subject of the 
war, but that the natural ties which bind the 
same ** kith and kin " together, were not al- 
ways proof against the political animosities of 
the times. When Burgoyne found his boats 
were not safe, and in fact much nearer the 
main body of the American army than his 
own, it became necessary to land his provi- 
sions, of which he had already been short for 
many weeks, in order to prevent his army be- 
ing actually starved into submission. This 
was done under a heavy fire from the Ameri- 
can troops, who were posted on the opposite 
side of the river. On one of these occasions, 

a person by the name of Mr. , at Salem, 

and a foreigner by birth, and who had at the 
very time a son in the British army, crossed 
the river at De Bidder's, with a person by the 
name of M'Niei ; they went in a canoe, and 



226 burgoyne's campaign. 

arriving opposite to the place intended, cross- 
ed over to the western bank, on which a re- 
doubt called Fort Lawrence had been erected. 
They crawled up the bank with their arms in 
their hands, and peeping over the upper edge, 
they saw a man in a blanket coat, loading a 
cart. They instantly raised their guns to fire, 
an action more savage than commendable. At 
the moment the man turned so as to be more 
plainly seen, old Mr. said to his com- 
panion, now that's my own son Hughy, but 
I'll d — 'd for a' that if I sill not gi him a shot. 
He then actually fired at his own son, as the 
person really proved to be, but happily without 
effect. Having heard the noise made by their 
conversation, and the cocking of their pieces, 
which the nearness of his position rendered 
perfectly practicable, he ran round the cart, 
and the balls lodged in the felly of the wheel. 
The report drew the attention of the neigh- 
boring guards, and the two marauders were 
driven from their lurking place. While re- 
treating with all possible speed M'Niel was 
wounded in the shoulder, and if alive carries 
the wound about with him unhealed to this 
day. Had the ball struck the old Scotchman, 
it is questionable whether any one would have 



burgoyne's campaign. 227 

considered it more than even-handed justice, 
commending the chalice to his own lips. 

At the time Governor George Clinton, to 
whose indefatigable exertions the state of 
New- York owes more than she could repay, 
ordered out the militia of the different coun- 
ties, and at their head proceeding north- 
ward in hopes of cutting off the retreat of Sir 
John Johnson, he advanced as far as Crown- 
Point without meeting the enemy. On his 
arrival at that post, and hearing nothing of 
Sir John, my father and John Benson, known 
and distinguished as " barefoot Benson," who 
were volunteers at the time, were selected by 
Governor Clinton, as scouts, to proceed from 
that post through a dense " howling wilder- 
ness," as far as Schroon lake, for the purpose 
of ascertaining by the " trail " of the Indians, 
whether Sir John had passed between the two 
lakes. With only one ration for each, and 
nothing for their guide but a small pocket com- 
pass, they set out with their usual firmness 
and intrepidity. After travelling over steep 
and rugged mountains, and through deep, dark, 
and dismal ravines, they at length reached 
Schroon lake, without making any discovery, 



228 burgoyne's campaign. 

in time to return as far back as the ** Beaver 
Meadows," about two miles west of the head 
of Brant lake, the first night. During the 
night, by way of precaution, they deemed it 
advisable to separate, that, in case they should 
be discovered by Indians, who were constantly 
lurking about the country, there might be a 
better chance, for one of them at least, to 
make his escape and give the alarm. Accord- 
ingly they lay down in the tall grass about fif- 
teen or twenty rods apart, for their repose, 
during the night. About three o'clock in the 
morning as near as they could judge, they 
heard a rustling in the grass, about equi-dis- 
tant from them both, and soon after heard a 
stepping, like some person cautiously approach- 
ing, which they supposed at the time to be 
the step of some Indian who might have dis- 
covered them at the time they concealed them- 
selves in the grass. On the approach of the 
object within the circle of their faint vision, they 
both, as if by concert, though ignorant of each 
others intentions, being determined to sell their 
lives as dear as possible, raised themselves on 
one knee, levelled their pieces, and fired at the 
same instant. As soon as they fired, they 
heard a groan and momentary struggle in the 



burgoyne's campaign. 229 

grass, when all again was still as the abodes 
of death. They then reloaded, and resumed 
their former positions, but there was no more 
sleep for them during the remainder of that 
night. Soon after day break, and when there 
was light sufficient to discern objects at a dis» 
tance, thej took an observation, and seeing no 
enemy near, they advanced to ascertain the re- 
sult of their encounter in the night, when be- 
hold, to their surprise, they found they had 
killed a famous great — deer ! 

After having their own sport for a while, they 
started on their return for the camp, by a dif- 
ferent route from the one they came, and 
which they supposed would be nearer, but 
they had not gone far among the mountains, 
before the needle to their compass refused to 
perform its duty, owing no doubt to some 
neighboring mineral^ which operated more 
powerfully than the pole. After wandering 
al)out for some time, in a dark and dismal forest, 
it being a dark and cloudy day, they became be- 
wildered and finally got lost. Thus they contin- 
ued to travel through the day, and found them- 
selves at night near the place where they start- 
ed from in the morning. By this time, having 
fasted twenty-four hours, their appetites be- 



230 burgoyne's campaign. 

came so sharp they thought they would make 
a meal out of the deer they had fortuitously 
killed the night before ; but on their arrival at 
the spot they found that the wolves or some 
other animals had devoured it, and left not 
even a bone. They then laid themselves down 
for repose, on the same bed of grass they had 
occupied the night of the encounter. The 
next morning they again started for the camp, 
by the same route they came the first day, 
though somewhat faint for the want of food. 
About ten o'clock they came across a knap- 
sack, which had been lost or left in the woods, 
by some person to them unknown, containing 
a lot of boiled pork, bread and cheese promis- 
cuously thrown in together, and out of which 
Benson made a hearty meal ; but my father, 
having so strong an aversion even to the smell 
of cheese that he refused to taste a mouthful of 
any of the contents of the knapsack ; and ac- 
cordingly stood it out until he arrived at camp, 
about three o'clock in the afternoon of the third 
day, where they were received, with much joy, 
by the Governor and his staff, who had given 
them up for lost. It was thus ascertained that 
Sir John, with his horde of Indians, had not 
retreated in that direction, and the Governor 



borgoyne's campaign. 231 

gave up all hopes of intercepting them on this 
and returned home. 



The Savage comes, the spoiler of your land, 
With all his howling, desolating band ; 
Red is the cup they drink, but not with wine ; 
Watch then to-night, or see no morning shine ! 

As I have pledged myself, in my introduc- 
tion, to give all the principal facts connected 
with Burgoyne's campaign, as far as they have 
come to my knowledge, and as I am not writ- 
ing to please any particular individual or class 
of readers, I will relate the following incident, 
which is often spoken of even to this day. 

The inhabitants throughout this part of the 
country, having been much harrassed by the 
Indians and Tories, and in constant danger of 
their lives, were consequently under the neces- 
sity, for their own safety, of building, at dif- 
ferent stations, what they termed Block-houses. 

These buildings were constructed of logs 
flattened on two sides and locked or halved to- 
gether at the angles or corners, which rendered 
them strong and proof against rifle or musket 
balls. On each side about six feet from the 
bottom was an interstice or narrow space be- 
tween the logs, for the purpose, in case of a 



252 burgoyne's campaign. 

siege or an attack, of thrusting their guns 
through to fire on the besiegers. Below this 
open space a platform was erected about two 
feet from the floor, to stand upon while firing. 
The buildings were constructed without win- 
dows, and with but one door, which was made 
strong, and when occupied, this was strongly 
barricaded. To these buildings, when it was 
known or suspected there were Indians or To- 
ries in the vicinity, a number of families would 
resort during the night, leaving their own 
dwellings much exposed, and many of which 
were plundered and consumed. 

The block-houses were often attacked, and 
sometimes with considerable force, but as near 
as I have been able to learn, without much 
success, though with some loss to the assail- 
ants. 

It happened during a considerable interval 
of time, in which no Indians had been seen in 
the neighborhood, that the inhabitants ceased 
resorting to their block-houses. At this time 
a man by the name of Joseph Seely, whose 
vicious habits generally led him more to the 
gratification of his own evil propensities, than 
the public weal, and who had been out one 
day on a hunting excursion, for which he was 



burgoyne's campaign. 253 

very famous, and not very fastidious about the 
kind of game he " bagged," even if it w^as a 
turkey or a fowl that might accidentally come 
in his vray, returned from the woods, saying 
he had come across a party of Indians and To- 
ries, at whom he had fired, and as he thought, 
killed one. The alarm was immediately spread 
throughout the neighborhood, and the men all 
armed themselves, and flocked together, for 
the purpose of going in pursuit. On being 
led by Seely to the place where he said he 
had shot at the Indians, they found a trail of 
blood extending some distance through the 
woods, which led them on the course they 
concluded it best to pursue, not doubting, 
from the circumstances of the blood, that he 
had severely wounded, if not killed one of the 
Indians or Tories. 

After traveling some miles and finding no 
enemy, they concluded they might have se- 
creted themselves in the neighborhood, with 
the intention of committing their savage deeds 
during the following night. Accordingly they 
all returned home, it being near night, and 
for safety, after secreting as much of their ef- 
fects as they conveniently could, they and their 
families resorted to their block-houses, and by 

20 



234 BURGOTNE's CAMPAiaN. 

turns kept watch for the enemy during the 
night ; but none appeared to molest them. 

The next morning thej very cautiously re- 
turned to their several homes, and many of 
them with the expectation of finding their 
property destroyed, and their dwellings in 
ashes. About ten o'clock, this mischief-bent 
hero of the forest, after having his own sport 
at the expense of his neighbors, and feeling 
conscious he had carried the joke rather too 
far, finally disclosed the whole secret. Hav- 
ing spent the whole forenoon af the previous 
day, and finding no game, on his return came 
across a flock of sheep, and from his natural 
propensity to mischief, he fired among them^ 
and badly wounded one, when they all ran 
into the woods. On pursuing them some dis- 
tance to see if the wounded sheep died, he 
observed the blood trickled along on the leaves ; 
upon which he thought he would raise a '• hue 
and cry," and alarm the neighborhood, by the 
horrible story he told of having seen and shot 
an Indian. 

The following daring fete was performed by 
the author's great-uncle. Captain Hezekiah 
Dunham, who commanded a militia company 



burgoyne's campaign. 2$5 

in the vicinity of Bemis's Heights, a staunch 
whig, and a firm friend to the American 
cause. 

One evening as he was at a public enter- 
tainment, a boy was seen emerging from the 
woods in the nei^^hborhod on horseback, and 
presently approaching the place where the 
people were collected, asked if he could pur- 
chase a little rum. When he was answered 
no, he immediately mounted, returned a con- 
siderable distance, and then was seen gallop- 
ing down the main road by the river. On 
seeing this, Dunham exclaimed, " This means 
something, I am sure of it." He then watch- 
ed for the boy's return, and in a few minutes 
he repassed at full speed. He then reentered 
the wood, and was gone from their sight in an 
instant. Dunham's penetration induced him 
to say, " The enemy is near us : the Tories 
are in our neighborhood, and not far off." 
He separated from his company, with a deter- 
mination to act immediately. 

Dunham, when he reached home, immedi- 
ately went to a person by the name of Green, 
who was a son of Vulcan and of Mars, and an 
able-bodied, bold and persevering fellow. He 
was the pride of his settlement, and the safe- 



236 burgoyne's campaign. 

guard of the people around him — always readj 
for action, never desponding, and fearless to 
an extent that was remarkable. He was al- 
ways relied upon in trying emergencies by the 
leading men in the vicinity, and what com- 
pleted his merits, he was never backward* 
Dunham related the circumstance to bim, and 
declared his belief that there was a party of 
Tories in the neighborhood. 

Three other persons were called upon the 
same night for assistance, and when the rest 
of their neighbors were asleep^ these hardy 
men commenced their reconnosance. Every 
suspected spot was carefully approached in 
hopes of finding the objects of their search. 
Every hollow that could contain a hiding place 
was looked into ; but in a more particular man- 
ner the out-houses and barns of those persons 
who were suspected for their attachment to 
the enemy, were examined by them. It seem- 
ed all in vain. No traces of a concealed foe 
were discovered, when towards day-break it 
was proposed to separate and make one final 
search for that time. Dunham took two men 
with him, and Green but one. The former, 
as a last effort returned to the house of one 
— « , who it was probable would be in com- 



burgoyne's campaign. 237 

municalion with an enemy if near him. As 
he approached the house he had to pass a 
meadow adjoining, and observed a path lead- 
ing from the house to a small thicket of about 
three acres in extent. Dunham immediately 
suspected it led to his enemy. He pursued it, 
and found it passed around the thicket, and 
when it almost met the place where it turned 
off, the path entered the wood. Dunham 
paused, and turning to his companions said, 
" Here they are, will you follow me ?" They 
instantly agreed to accompany him, and the 
party moved on in single file, with light and 
cautious steps. As they got nearly to the cen- 
ter, Dunham in advance, a log stopped up the 
path, and seemed to prevent any farther ap- 
proach. With a motion that indicated the neces- 
sity of their remaining still, he mounted the log, 
and looking over, discovered, sure enough, at 
once a desired and yet imposing sight. Around 
the remains of a watch-fire, which day-break 
rendered less necessary, sat a group of five fierce 
looking men, with countenances relaxed from 
their usual fixedness ; but yet betokening bold- 
ness, if not savageness of purpose. They 
were dressing themselves, and putting on their 
shoes and stockings, which stood beside their 



238 burgoyne's campaign. 

rude couches. Their clothes were much worn, 
but had a military cut, which making their stout 
and muscular forms more apparent, gave them 
a peculiar snug fit, and distinguished them from 
the loose, slovenly scarecow figures which the 
homely character of our country seamtresses 
impossed upon everything rural or rusticated 
among our people. Their hats or caps were 
set carelessly on their heads, with the air of 
regulars ; and what made them still more ob- 
served was, that every man of them had his 
musket at his side on the ground, ready to be 
used at an instant's notice. Dunham surveyed 
this scene a few moments, and then drew back 
cautiously to his companions. In a tone not 
above a whisper, he said, " Shall we take 
'em !" A nod from his companions decided 
him — each now examined his musket, and re- 
primed it. The captain took the right of his 
little band, and they moved forward to the log. 
They mounted it at the same instant, and as 
they did so, Dunham cried out, " surrender or 
you are all dead men !" The group that thus 
found themselves almost under the " muzzles 
of their enemies' guns," were indeed astonish- 
ed. All but their leader, Thomas l^ovelass, 
seemed petrified and motionless. This reso- 



burgoyne's campaign. 239 

lute man seemed disposed to make an effort 
for their lives. Twice amid the silence and 
stillness of the perilous moment, he stretched 
out his hand to seize his gun. Each time he 
was prevented by the near approach of the 
muzzle that pointed at his head, and beyond 
which he saw an unflinching eye steadfastly 
fixed upon him ; at the same instant he was 
told, that if he touched it he was a dead man. 
At this critical period of the rencontre, 
Dunham peremptorily ordered the party to 
come out, one by one, which they reluctantly 
did, fearing perhaps that they were surround- 
ed by and in contact with a superior force. 
As fast as one came over the log he was secur- 
ed by the most powerful man of the three, 
while the other two kept their pieces steadily 
pointed at the prisoners. Some young women 
who proved to be sisters of some of the party, 
gave way to the most violent grief. Well 
aware of the danger they were in, and the 
speedy vengeance inflicted upon Tories and 
spies, they anticipated the most dreadful con- 
sequences to their unhappy brothers, and no 
words can express the frantic sorrow to which 
they abandoned themselves. The young men 
themselves assumed an air of firmness, but it 



240 BURGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

was easily penetrated. They confessed that 
their intention was to capture and take off 
some of the most active Whigs in the neigh- 
borhood. One of the prisoners upon promise 
of quarters, informed that he belonged to a 
party of fifteen, who had come down from 
Canada on the same business — who were then 
in various disguises, scattered through the coun- 
try to ascertain the state of affairs for the ben- 
efit of the British general in Canada, who was 
planning an inroad, and that they had left 
their boats concealed on the shores of Lake 
George. The country was at that time over- 
run with spies and traitors. Robberies were 
frequent, and the inhabitants, (non combat- 
ants) carried prisoners to Canada. General 
Schuyler's house was robbed and two of his 
servants, or life-guards carried there. The 
general saved himself by retiring to his cham- 
ber, barricading the door, and firing upon the 
marauders. 

Lovelass and his companions, were taken to 
the barracks at Saratoga, where they were tried 
and condemned at a court-martial, of which 
the celebrated General Stark was president. 
Lovelass alone suffered death. He was con- 
sidered too dangerous a man to be permitted to 



burgoyne's campaign. 241 

Escape. He complained that being found with 
arms in his hands, he was only a prisoner, and 
many thought that such being the fact, he was 
scarcely punishable as a spy. Indeed he even 
bewailed his hard fate, and the injustice done 
him, but found he had nothing to expect from the 
judges. In two or three days he was brought 
Out of his place of confinement, and suffered 
death upon the gallows, during a tremendous 
storm of rain and wind, accompanied with 
heavy and often repeated claps of thunder, and 
the most vivid flashes of lightning. 

I have adverted but little to the sufferings of 
the American army, because but little compara- 
tively, is known of what they individually en- 
dured. Excepting the inevitable casualties of 
battle, they must have suffered much less than 
their enemies ; for they soon ceased to be the 
flying, and became the attacking and trium 
phant party. Colonels Colburn, Adams, Fran- 
cis, and many other brave officers and men, 
gave up their lives, as the price of their coun- 
try's liberty, and very many carried away with 
them the scars produced by honorable wounds. 

The bravery of the American army was 
fully acknowledged by their adversaries. " At 
all times," said Lord Balcarras, " when I was 

21 



242 burgoyne's campaigi^^ 

opposed to the rebels, tliej fought with great 
courage and obstinacy. We were taught 
by experience, that neither their attacks nor 
resistance was to be despised. Speaking of 
the retreat of the Americans at Ticonderoga, 
and of their behaviour at the battle of Hub- 
barton, Lord Balcarras adds : 'circumstanced 
as the enemy were, as an army very hard 
pressed in their retreat, they certainly be- 
haved with great gallantry ; of the attack on 
the lines, on the evening of the 7th October, 
he says — The lines were attacked, and with 
as much fury as the fire of small arms can ad- 
mit. 

Captain Mooney, in answer to the questions 
whether on the 19th of September the Ameri- 
cans disputed the field with obstinacy, answer- 
ed, they did, and the fire was much hotter 
than I ever knew it anywhere, except at the 
affair at Fort Ann ; and speaking of the battle 
of October 7th, and of the moment when the 
Americans, with nothing but gmall arms, were 
marching up to the British artillery, he adds, 
I was very much astonished to hear the shot 
from the enemy fly so thick after our cannon- 
ade had lasted a quarter of an hour. 

General Burgoyne gives it as his opinion, 



burgoyne's campaign. 243 

that as rangers, perhaps there are few better 
in the world, than the corps of Virgina rifle- 
men which acted under Colonel Morgan. He 
says, speaking of the battle of September 19th, 
that few actions have been characterized by 
more obstinacy, in attack or defence. The 
British bayonet was repeatedly tried ineflect- 
ually. 

Remarking upon the battle of the 7th of Oc- 
tober, he observes : If there be any persons 
who continue to doubt that the Americans pos- 
sess the quality ?ind faculty of fighting, call it 
by whatever term you please, they are of a 
prejudice, that it would be very absurd longer 
to contend with ; he says, that in this action 
the British troops retreated hard pressed, but 
in good order, and that the troops had hardly 
entered the camp, when it was stormed with 
great fury — the enemy rushing to the lines, un- 
der a severe fire of grape-shot and small arms. 

It is very gratifying to every real American 
to find, that for so great a prize, his country- 
men, (their enemies themselves being judges) 
contended so nobly, and that their conduct for 
bravery, skill and humanity, will stand the 
scrutiny of all future ages. 

From the enemy it becomes us not tQ with- 



244 burgoyne's campaign. 

hold the commendation that is justly due ; all 
that skill and valor could effect, they accom- 
plished, and they were overwhelmed at last by 
complicated distresses, and by superior num- 
bers. 

The vaunting proclamation of Burgoyne, at 
the commencement of the campaign ; some of 
his boasting letters, written during the pro- 
gress of it, and his devastation of private prop- 
erty, reflect no honor on his memory. But in 
general, he appears to have been a humane and 
honorable man, a scholar and a gentleman, a 
brave soldier and an able commander. Some 
of his sentiments have a higher moral tone 
than is common with men of his profession, and 
have probably procured for him more respect, 
than all his battles. Speaking of the battle of 
the 7th, he says : In the course of the action, 
a shot had passed through my hat, and another 
had passed through my waistcoat. I should 
be sorry to be thought, at any time, insensible 
to the protecting hand of Providence ; but I 
never, more particularly considered (and 1 hope 
not superstitiously) a soldier's hair breadth 
escapes as incentives to duty a marked renew- 
al of the trust of being ^ for the purposes of a 
public station : and under that reflection, to 



burgoyne's campaign. 245 

loose our fortitude, by giving way to our affec- 
tions ; to be divested by any possible self-emo- 
tion from meeting a present exigency, with our 
best faculties, were at once dishonor and im- 
piety. 

Thus have I adverted to some of the leading 
circumstances of the greatest military event 
which has ever occured in America ; but com- 
pared with the whole extent and diversity of 
that campaign, the above notices however ex- 
tended, are few and brief. Should the notice 
of these great events tend, in any instance, to 
quench the odious fires of party, and rekindle 
those of genuine patriotism — should it revive 
in any one a veneration for the virtues of those 
men who faced death, in every form, regard- 
less of their own lives, and bent only on secur- 
ing to posterity the precious blessings which 
we now enjoy ; and above all, should we thus 
be led to cherish a higher sense of gratitude to 
heaven for our unexampled privileges, and to 
use them more temperately and wisely, the 
time occupied in this narrative, will not have 
been spent in vain. History presents no strug- 
gle for liberty which has in it more of the 
moral sublime than that of the American Re- 
volution. It has been, of late years, too much 



246 BtJRGOYNE^S CAMPAIGN. 

forgotten in the sharp contentions of party, 
and he who endeavors to withdraw the public 
mind from those debasing conflicts, and to fix 
it on the grandeur of that great epoch — which, 
magnificent in itself, begins now to wear the 
solemn livery of antiquity^ as it is viewed 
through the deepening tivilight of more than 
Haifa century, certainly performs a meritorious 
service, and can scarcely need a justification. 

The generation that sustained the conflict, 
is now almost passed away ; a few hoary heads 
remain seamed with honorable scars — a very 
few experienced guides can still attend us to 
the fields of carnage, and point out the places 
where they and their companions fought and 
bled, and where now sleep the bones of the 
slain. But these men will soon be gone ; tra- 
dition and history, will however, continue to 
recite their deeds, and the latest generations 
will be taught to venerate the defenders of 
our liberties ; to visit the " memorable battle 
grounds," which were moistened with their 
blood, and to thank the mighty God of bat- 
tles that the arduous conflict terminated in the 
entire establishment of the liberties of this 
country. 



burgoyne's campaign, 247 



TO THE READER, 

It was the author's intention at the com- 
mencement of this "narrative," to have given 
credit for such matter as he might be induced 
to dreiw from other sources than those named 
in the introduction. But in the progress of his 
writing, he found his own corrections and re- 
marks, in many instances, so commingled with 
those selections, as to render it almost, if not 
not quite, impracticable, and possibly so unin- 
telligible to many, that he was reluctantly 
compelled to abandon the idea in many cases. 
And to give credit in one instance and not in 
another, would manifestly be doing an injus- 
tice ; he has therefore left it for the reader to 
make his own researches, as a means of im- 
proving his habits of reading, and possibly, his 
understanding. In the meantime the author 
apologizes to those from whom he has, more 
or less, drawn, believing, as his object is to 
give a correct statement of facts, they will 
deem it of sufficient credit to them, to know 
that they have been referred to as authority for 
a portion of this work. 



APPENDIX 



The following is an extract of a letter written by 
the venerable Samuel Woodruff, Esq., of Connecticut, 
a volunteer under Gen. Gates, and a participator in the 
battle of the seventh of October, and who again visit- 
ed the very important ground some few years since. 

In speaking of his tour to Stillwater and Saratoga 
to gratify a desire he had felt, and which had long- 
been increasing, to view the battle grounds at that 
place, and the spot on which the royal armyunder the 
command of General Burgoyne surrendered to Gene- 
ral Gates,, on the 17th October, 1777, he says : 

" You will excuse me for entering a little into the 
feelings of Uncle Toby respecting Dendermond in the 
compressed and hastily written journal I kept of my 
tour, especially as you will take into consideration that 
I had the honor to serve as a volunteer under General 
Gates part of that campaign, and was in the battle of 
the 7th of October. 

" I take the liberty to enclose to you an extract of 
that part of my journal which embraces the principal 
object of ray tour. 



250 APPENDIX. 

" At 7 A. M. started on foot to view some other 
equally interesting places connected with the cam- 
paign of 1777, three (six) miles and a half south of 
Fish creek, called at the house of a Mr. Smith, in 
which General Frazer died of wounds received in the 
battle of the 7th of October, and near which house in 
one of the British redoubts, that officer was buried. 
This house (owned at the time by John Taylor, of Al- 
bany,) then stood by the road on the west margin of 
the interval, at the foot of the rising ground. A turn- 
pike road having since been constructed, running twen- 
ty or thirty rods east of the old road, the latter has 
been discontinued, and Mr. Smith (Lee,) has drawn 
the house and placed it on the west side of the turn- 
pike. 

" Waiving, for the present, any farther notices of 
this spot, I shall attempt a concise narrative of the 
two hostile armies for a short period anterior to the 
great battle of the 7th of October. 

" The object of the British General was to penetrate 
as far as Albany, at which place, by concert, he was 
to meet Sir Henry Clinton, then with a fleet and army 
at New-York. In the early part of September, Gene- 
ral Burgoyne had advanced with his army, from Fort 
Edward, and crossed the Hudson with his artillery, 
baggage Avagons, &c., on a bridge of boats, and en- 
trenched the troops on the highlands of Saratoga (Still- 
water). On the 19th of September they left their en- 
trenchments, and moved south by a slow and cautious 
march towards the American camp, which was secured 



APPENDIX. 251 

by a line of entrenchments and redoubts on Bemis's 
Heights, running from west to east about half a mile 
in length, terminating at the east on the west side of 
the interval. 

" Upon the approach of the royal army, the Ameri- 
can forces sallied forth from their camp, and met the 
British about a mile north of the American lines. A 
severe conflict ensued, and many brave officers and 
men fell on both sides. The ground on which this 
battle was fought was principally covered with stand- 
ing wood. This circumstance somewhat embarrassed 
the British troops in the use of their field artillery, and 
afforded some advantage to the Americans, particularly 
the riflemen under the command of the brave Colonel 
Morgan, who did great execution. Night, which has 
often and so kindly interposed to stop the carnage of 
conflicting hosts, put an end to the battle. 

" Neither party claimed a victory. The royal army 
withdrew in the night, leaving the field and their slain 
with some of their wounded in possession of the Ame- 
ricans. The loss of killed and wounded, as near as 
could be ascertained, was, on the part of the British, 
six hundred ; and on that of the Americans about three 
hundred and fifty. The bravery and firmness of the 
American forces displayed this day, convinced the 
British officers of the difficulty if not utter impossibility 
of continuing their march to Albany. The season for 
closing the campaign in that northern region was ad- 
vancing — the American army was daily augmenting 
by militia, volunteers and the " two months' men," as 



252 APPENDIX. 

they were then called. The fear that the two royal 
armies might effect their junction at Albany, aroused 
the neighboring states of New-England, and drew 
from New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and 
Vermont, a large body of determined soldiers. Baum's 
defeat at Bennington had inspired them with new hopes 
and invigorated their spirits. 

" Under these circumstances, inauspicious to the hos- 
tile army, the British commander-in-chief summoned a 
council of war ; the result of which was to attempt a 
retreat across the Hudson to Fort Edward. General 
Gates, apprehending the probability of this measure, 
seasonably detached a portion of his force to intercept 
and cut off the retreat should that be attempted. 

" Many new and unexpected difficulties now present- 
ed themselves. The boats which had served the Brit- 
ish army for a bridge, being considered by them as of 
no further use, had been cut loose, and most of them 
floated down the river. The construction of rafts suf- 
ficient for conveying over their artillery and heavy 
baggage, would be attended with great danger as well 
as loss of time. The bridges over the creeks had been 
destroyed ; great quantities of trees had been felled 
across the roads by order of the American general 5 
and another thing, not of the most trifling nature. Fort 
Edward was already in possession of the Americans. 
In this perplexing dilemma the royal army found them- 
selves completely checkmated. A retreat, however, 
was attempted, but soon abandoned. Situated as they 
now were, between two fires, every motion they made 



APPENDIX. 253 

was fraught with danger and loss, they retired to their 
old entrenched camp. 

" Several days elapsed without any very active ope- 
rations on either side. This interval of time, was, 
however, improved by the royal army in preparations 
to make one desperate effort to force the lines of the 
American camp, and cut their way through on their 
march to Albany. The American army improved the 
meantime in strengthening their outer works, arrang- 
ing their forces, and placing the continentals on the 
north side of the entrenchments, where valaint men 
were expected ; thus preparing to defend every point 
of attack. Morgan, with his riflemen, to form the left 
flank in the woods. 

" During these few days of ^ dreadful preparation,' 
information daily arrived in our camp, by deserters and 
otherwise, that an attack would soon be made upon 
the line of our entrenchments at Bemis's= Heights nea? 
the head quarters of General Gates. 

" The expected conflict awakened great anxiety 
among the American troops, but abated nothing of 
that Stirling intrepidity and firmness which they uni-^ 
formly displayed in the hour of danger ; all considered 
that the expected conflict would be decisive of the 
campaign at least, if not of the war in which we had 
been so long engaged. Immense interests were at 
stake. Should General Burgoyne succeed in marching 
his army to Albany, General Clinton, without any con- 
siderable difficulty, would there join him with another 
powerful English army, and a fleet suflficient to com- 



254 APPENDIX. 

mand the Hudson from thence to New-York. Should 
this junction of force take place, all the states east of 
the Hudson would be cut off from all efficient commu- 
nication with the western and southern states. 

" In addition to this there w^ere other considerations 
of the deepest concern. The war had already been 
protracted to a greater length of time than was expect- 
ed on either side at the commencement. The resources 
of the country, which were at first comparatively small 
in respect to those things necessary for war, began to 
fail ; the term of enlistment of many of the soldiers 
had expired. 

"We had no public money, and no government 
to guarantee the payment of wages to the officers and 
soldiers, nor to those who furnished supplies for the 
troops. Under these discouraging circumstances it be- 
came extremely difficult to raise recruits for the army. 
During the year 1776, and the fore part of '77, the 
Americans suffered greatly by sickness, and were un- 
successful in almost every rencontre with the enemy. 
Men's hearts, even the stoutest, began to fail. This 
was indeed the most gloomy period of the war of the 
Revolution. 

" On the 7th of October, about ten o'clock A. M., 
the royal army commenced their march, and formed 
their line of battle on our left, near Bemis's Heights, 
with General Frazer at their head. Our pickets were 
driven in about one o'clock P. M., and were followed 
by the British troops on a quick march to within fair 
musket shot distance of the line of our entrenchments. 



APPENDIX. 255 

At this moment commenced a tremendous discharge of 
cannon and musquetry, which was returned with equal 
spirit by the Americans. 

" For thirty or forty minutes the struggle at the 
breast-w^orks was maintained with great obstinacy. 
Several charges with fixed bayonets were made by the 
English grenadiers with but little effect. Great num- 
bers fell on both sides. The ardor of this bloody con- 
flict continued for some time without any apparent ad- 
vantage gained by either party. At length, however, 
the assailants began to give way, preserving good or- 
der in a regular but slow retreat — loading, wheeling 
and firing, with considerable effect. The Americans 
followed up the advantage they had gained, by a brisk 
and well directed fire of field pieces and musketry. 
Colonel Morgan with his riflemen hung upon the left 
wing of the retreating enemy, and galled them by a 
most destructive fire. The line of battle now became 
extensive, and most of the troops of both armies were 
brought into action. The principal part of the ground 
on which this hard day's work was done, is known by 
the name of Freeman's Farm. It w^as then covered 
by a thin growth of pine wood without underbrush^ 
except one lot of about six or eight acres which had 
been cleared and fenced. On this spot the British 
grenadiers, under the command of the brave Major 
Ackland, made a stand, and brought together some of 
their field artillery ; this little field soon became lite- 
rally * the field of blood.' These grenadiers, the flower 
of the royal army, unaccustomed to yield to any op- 



256 APPENDIX. 

posing force in fair field, fought with that obstinate' 
spirit which borders on madness. Ackland received a 
ball through both legs, which rendered him unable to 
walk or stand. This occurrence hastened the retreat of 
the grenadiers, leaving the ground thickly strewed with 
dead and wounded. 

" The battle was continued by a brisk running fire 
until dark. The victory was complete ; leaving the 
Americans masters of the field. Thus ended a battle 
of the highest importance in its consequences, and 
added great lustre to the American arms — I have seen 
no official account of the numbers killed and wounded j 
but the loss on the part of the British must have been 
great, and that on the Americans not inconsiderable. 
The loss of general officers suffered by the royal army 
was peculiarly severe. 

'* But to return to the Smith house. For several days 
previous to that time, General Burgoyne had made that 
house his head-quarters, accompanied by several gene- 
ral officers and their ladies, among whom were Gene- 
ral Frazer, the Baron and Baroness Reidesel, and their 
children. 

" The circumstances attending the fall of this gallant 
officer have presented a question about which military 
men are divided in opinion. The facts seem to be 
agreed, that soon after the commencement of the ac- 
tion, General Arnold, knowing the military character 
and efficiency of General Frazer, and observing his 
motions in leading and conducting the attack, said to 
Colonel Morgan, " That officer upon a grey horse is of 



APPENDIX. 267 

himself a host, and must be disposed of— direct the at* 
tention of some of the sharp-shooters among your rifle^ 
men to him." Morgan nodding his assent to Arnold^ 
repaired to his riflemen, and made known to them the 
hint given by Arnold. Immediately upon this, the 
crupper of the grey horse was cut off by a rifle bullet, 
and within the next minute another passed through the 
horse's mane, a little back of his ears. An aid of Fra* 
zer noticing this, observed to him, " Sir, it is evident 
that you are marked out for particular aim ; would it 
not be prudent for you to retire from this place?" 
Frazer replied, " my duty forbids me to fly from dan- 
ger," and immediately received a bullet through his 
body. A few grenadiers were detached to carry him 
to the Smith (Taylor) house. 

" Having introduced the name of Arnold, it may be 
proper to note here, that although he had no regular 
command that day, he volunteered his service, was 
early on the ground, and in the hottest part of the 
struggle at the redoubts^ He behaved (as I then 
thought,) more like a mad-man than a cool and dis- 
creet oflScer. Mounted on a brown horse, he moved 
incessantly on a full gallop back and forth, until he re- 
ceived a wound in his leg and his horse was shot under 
him. I happened to be near him when he fell, and as- 
sisted in getting him into a litter to be carried to head- 
quarters. 

" Late in the evening Burgoyne came in, and a tender 
scene took place between him and Frazer. General 
Frazer was the idol of the British army, and the officer 

22 



258 APPENDIX. 

on whom, of all others,, Burgoyne placed the greatest 
reliance. He languished through the night, and ex- 
pired at eight o'clock the next morning. While on 
his death-bed he advised Burgoyne, without delay, to 
propose to General Gates terms of capitulation, and 
prevent the further effusion of blood ; that the situation 
of his army was now hopeless ; they could neither ad- 
vance nor retreat. He also requested that he might 
be buried in the great redout^ his body to be borne 
thither between sunset and dark, by a body of the 
grenadiers, without parade or ceremony. This request 
was strictly complied with. 

" After viewing the house to my satisfaction, I walked 
up to the place of interment. It is situated on an ele- 
vated piece of ground, commanding an extensive view 
of the Hudson, and a great length of the beautiful in- 
terval on each side of it. I was alone ; the weather 
was calm and serene. Reflections were awakened in 
my mind wliich I am wholly unable to describe. In- 
stead of the bustle and hum of the camp, and confused 
noise of the battle of the warrior, and the shouts of vic- 
tory which I here witnessed more than fifty years ago, 
all was now silent as the abodes of the dead. And 
indeed far, far the greatest part of both those armies 
who was then in active life, at and near this spot, are 
now mouldering in their graves, like that valiant offi- 
cer whose remains are under my feet, " their memories 
and their names lost," while God, in his merciful pro- 
vidence, has preserved my life, and after the lapse of 
more than half a century, has afforded me an opportu- 



APPENDIX. 259 

nity of once more viewing those places, which force 
upon my mind interesting recollections of my youthful 
days." 

The Baroness de Reidesel in speaking of the move- 
ments of Burgoyne's army, says, when the army broke 
up (at Batten kill,) on the eleventh of September, 1777, 
she was at first told that she must remain behind ; but 
on her repeated entreaties, and as other ladies had been 
permitted to follow the army, the same indulgence was 
extended to her. They advanced by short journeys, 
and went through many toils; yet she w^ould have 
purchased at any price the privilege thus granted to 
her of daily seeing her husband. She had sent back 
her baggage, and only kept a small bundle of summer 
dresses. In the begining all went well ; they thought 
that there was little doubt of their being successful, 
and of reaching "the promised land f^ and when on 
the passage across the Hudson, General Burgoyne ex- 
claimed, " Britons never retrograde," their spirits rose 
mightily. She observed, however, with suspicion, that 
the wives of the officers were beforehand informed of 
all the mihtary plans ; and she was so much the more 
struck with it, as she remembered with how much 
secrecy all dispositions were made in the armies of Duke 
Ferdinand during the seven years' war. Thus the 
Americans anticipated their movements, and expected 
them wherever they arrived ; and this of course injured 
their affairs. On the ninteenth of September, an ac- 
tion took place which ended, she says, to their ad van- 



260 APPENDIX. 

tage ; but they were in consequence, obliged to halt at 
a place called Freeman's farm. She witnessed the whole 
action, and knowing that her husband was among the 
cambatants, she was full of anxiety and trembled at 
every shot — and nothing escaped her ear. She saw a 
great number of wounded, and what was still worse, 
three of them were brought into the house where she 
was. One of them was a Major Harnage, whose wife 
was with them ; the second a lieutenant, whose wife 
was of her acquaintance ; and the third a young Eng- 
lish officer, called Young. The Major occupied, with 
his wife, a room close by where she was. He had re- 
ceived a shot through his body, and suffered exquisite 
pain. A few days after their arrival, she heard groans 
in another room, and was told that the young officer, 
whom she had just mentioned, was lying there, and 
that his recovery was very doubtful. She took much 
interest in him, as a family of his name had shown her 
great kindness during her stay in England. He ex- 
pressed a great desire to see his benefactress, for so he 
called her. She went into his room and found him on 
a thin bed of straw, for he had lost all his baggage. 
He was eighteen or nineteen years old, an only son, 
and a nephew of the same Mr. Young she had known 
in England. He lamented for his parents' sake, but 
said nothing of his sufferings. He had lost much blood, 
and the surgeon advised him to submit to the amputa- 
tion of his leg ; but he would not consent to it, though 
the limb had become gangrenous. She sent him pil- 
lows and blankets, and her maids gave him their mat- 



APPENIDX. 261 

tress. She took more and more care of him, and visit- 
ed him daily ; for which he thanked her a thousand 
times. At last the amputation took place j but it was 
too late, and he died a few days afterwards. Her room 
being close to his, and the walls very thin, she heard 
his last moans. 

For their further march, she had caused a calash to 
be made for her, in which she could take not only her 
children, but also her two female attendants ; and thus 
she followed the army in the midst of the troops who 
were in great spirits, and sang and longed for victory. 

They marched, she says, through endless forests, and 
a beautiful district, though deserted by the inhabitants, 
who ran away at their approach to reinforce General 
Gates's army. They are naturally soldiers and excel- 
lent marksmen, and the idea of fighting for their coun- 
try and their liberty increased their innate courage. 
Her husband was encamped with the rest of the army ; 
being herself an hour's ride behind the army, she went 
every morning to pay him a visit in the camp, and 
sometimes she dined there with him, but generally he 
took his dinner at her quarters. There was daily skir- 
mishes with the enemy, generally of little importance.. 
But her husband could never sleep without his clothes. 
The weather already having grown rougher. Colonel 
Williams of the artillery, thought their mutual visits 
were rather too fatiguing for them, and proposed to 
have a house built for her with a chimney, which 
should not cost more than five or six guineas, and which 
she could uninterruptedly inhabit. She accepted of his 



262 APPENDIX. 

offer, and the building, which was to be about twenty- 
feet square^) was began. Such a dwelhng is called a 
block house, for which logs nearly of equal diameter 
are put together; if the interstices are filled up with 
clay, it is not only very solid, but very warm. She 
was to take possession of it on the next day ; and she 
rejoiced in it the more, she says, as the nights were 
damp and cold, and it being close to the camp,' her hus- 
band would be able to be with her. But severe trials 
avvaited them, and on the seventh of October, their 
misfortunes began. She was at breakfast with her hus- 
band, and heard that something was intended. On the 
same day she expected Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, 
and Frazer, to dine with her. She saw a great move- 
ment among the troops and inquired the cause ; her 
husband told her it was merely a reconnoisance, which 
gave her no concern, as it often happened. She walk- 
ed out of the house and , met several Indians in their 
war dresses, with guns in their hands. When she ask- 
ed them where they were going ; they cried out, " War ! 
War !" (meaning they were going to battle.) This 
filled her with apprehension, and she scarcely got home 
before she heard reports of cannon and musketry, 
which grew louder by degrees, till at last the noise be- 
came excessive. About four o'clock in the afternoon, 
instead of the guests whom she expected. General Fra- 
zer was brought on a litter mortally wounded. The 
table which was already set, was instantly removed 
and a bed placed in its stead for the wounded general. 
She sat trembling in a corner ; the noise grew louder, 



APPENDIX. 26S 

and the alarm increased ; the thought that her husband 
might perhaps be brought in wounded in the same 
way, was terrible to her, and distressed her exceeding- 
ingly. General Frazer said to the surgeon, " Tell me 
if my wound is mortal ; do not flatter me." The ball 
had passed through his body, and unhappily for the ge- 
neral, he had eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which 
the stomach was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon 
said, had passed through it. She heard him often ex- 
claim with a sigh, " Oh, fatal ambition ! Poor General 
Burgoyne ! Oh my poor wife !" He was asked if he 
had any request to make ; to which he replied, that 
" If General Burgoyne would permit it, he should like 
to be buried at six o'clock in the evening on the top of 
a hill, on a redoubt which had been built there. She 
says she did not know which way to turn, all the other 
rooms were full of sick. Towards evening she saw 
her husband coming; then she forgot all her sor- 
rows, and thanked God that he was spared to her. He 
ate in great haste with her and his aid-de-camp behind 
the house. She had been told that they had the ad- 
vantage of the enemy, but the sorrowful faces she be- 
held told a different tale, and before her husband went 
away, he took her one side and said every thing 
was going very bad, that she must keep herself in read- 
iness to leave the place, but not to mention it to any 
one. She made the pretence that she would move the 
next morning into her new house, and had every thing 
packed up ready. 

Lady Harriet Ackland had a tent not far from her 



264 Ap^ENBiXa 

house j in this she slept, and the rest of the day she 
was in the camp^ All of a sudden a man came to tell 
her that her husband was mortally Wounded, and taken 
prisoner ; on hearing this she became very miserable ; 
the Baroness comforted her by telling her that the 
wound was only slight, and at the same time advised 
her to go over to her husband, to do which, she would 
certainly obtain permission, and then she could attend 
to him herself; she was a charming woman and very 
fond of him. The Baroness spent much of the night in 
comforting her, and then went again to her children 
whom she had put to bed. She could not go to sleep, 
as she had General Frazer and all the other wounded 
gentlemen in her room, and she was sadly afraid her 
children would awake, and by their crying disturb the 
dying man in his last moments, who often addressed 
her, and apologized '■'for the trouble he gave herP 
About 3 o'clock in the morning she was told he could 
not hold out much longer ; she had desired to be in- 
formed of the near approach of this sad crisis, and she 
then wrapped up her children in their clothes, and 
went with them into the room below. About 8 o'- 
clock in the morning he died. After he was laid out 
and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, she came again 
into the room, and had this sorrowful sight before her 
the whole day ; and to add to this melancholy scene, 
almost every moment, some officer of her acquaintance 
was brought in wounded. The cannonade commenced 
again; a retreat was spoken of, but not the smallest 
motion was made towards it. About 4 o'clock in the 



APPENDIX. ' 266 

afternoon she saw the house which had just been built 
for her in flames, and the enemy was now not far off. 
They knew that General Burgoyne would not refuse 
the last request of General Frazer, though by his ac- 
iCeding. an unnecessary delay was occasioned by which 
the inconvenience of the army was much increased. 
At 6 o'clock the corpse was brought out, and she saw 
all the generals attend it to the hill ; the chaplain, Mr. 
Brudenell, performed the funeral service, rendered un- 
usually solemn and awful, from its being accompanied 
by constant peals from the American artillery. Many 
cannon balls flew close by her; but she had her eyes 
directed towards the hill, where her husband was 
standing amid the fire of the Americans, and of course, 
she could not think of her own danger. She says Gen- 
eral Gates afterwards said, that if he had known it had 
been a luneral, he would not have permitted it to be 
fired on. 

Orders had already been issued that the army should 
break up immediately after the funeral, and their ca- 
lashes were got ready. She was unwilling to depart soon- 
er. Major Harnage, though hardly able to walk a step, 
left his bed, that he might not remain in the hospital, 
upon which a flag of truce had been erected. When 
he saw the Baroness there in the midst of danger, he 
drove her children and female attendants into the vehi- 
cle, and told her that she had not a moment to lose. 
She begged to be permitted to remain a little longer. 
"Do what you please," replied he, — "but your 
children I must at least save." This touched her most 

23 



266 AFPENDiX. 

tender feelings : she sprang into the carriage, and al 
eight o'clock they departed. 

The Baroness Reidesel further says, they were halt* 
ed at six o'clock in the morning at Do-ve-gat, to their 
great amazement. At length, however, they recom- 
menced their march, and arrived at Saratoga on the 
ninth, about dark ; which was but half an hour's march 
from the place where they spent the day. She was 
quite wet, and was obliged to remain in that condition 
for want of a place to change her apparel. She seat- 
ed herself near the fire and undressed the children, and 
they then laid themselves upon some straw. She ask- 
ed General Phillips, who came to see how she was, 
why they did not continue their retreat, her husband 
having pledged himself to cover the movement, and to 
bring off the army in safety. *-My poor lady," said he, 
you astonish me. Though quite wet, you have so 
much courage as to wish to go further in this weather. 
"What a pity it is that you are not our commanding 
general ! He complains of fatigue, and has determined 
upon spending the night here, and giving us a supper." 
It is very true that General Burgoyne liked to make 
himself easy, and that he spent half his nights in sing- 
ing and drinking, and diverting himself with the wife 
of a commissary, who was his mistress, and who was 
as fond of champaign as himself. 

The Baronness refreshed herself at 7 o'clock the 
next morning, (the 10th of October) with a cup of tea, 
and they all expected that they should soon continue 



APPENDIX, 267 

their March. General Burgoyne had given orders to 
set fire to General Schuyler's fine buildings and mills 
at Saratoga, fi3r the purpose of securing their retreat 
An English officer brought her some good souj), and 
insisted that she should partake of it. After this they 
continued their march, but only for a short time. There 
was much misery and disorder in the army. The com- 
missaries had forgotten to distribute provisions, though 
they had an abundance of cattle. She says she saw 
more than thirty officers who complained bitterly of 
hunger. She gave them coffee and tea, and every 
thing eatable she had in her calash. Their calashes 
remained in readiness to depart. Every body advised 
a retreat, and her husband pledged himself to effect 
that movement, if no time was lost. But General 
Burgoyne, who was promised an order if he should ef- 
fect his junction with General Howe, could not be per- 
suaded to it, and lost every thing by his dilatoriness. 

About two o'clock they heard again a report of 
muskets and cannon, and there was much alarm and 
bustle among their troops. Her husband sent her 
word that she should immediately retire into a house 
(now occupied by Mrs. Bushee) not far off. She got 
into her calash with her children ; and when they were 
near the house, she saw, on the opposite bank of the 
Hudson, five or six men, who aimed at them with their 
guns. "Without knowing what she did, she threw her 
children into the back part of the calash, and laid her- 
self upon them. At the same moment the fellows 
fired and broke the arm of a poor English soldier, who 



268 APPENDIX. 

stood behind her, and who, being already wounded, 
sought a shelter. Soon after their arrival a terrible 
cannonade began, and the fire was principally directed 
against the house, where she had hoped to find a re- 
fuge, probably because the enemy inferred, from the 
great number of people who went towards it, that this 
was the head quarters of the generals, while in reality 
none were there except women and crippled soldiers. 
She says, they were at last obliged to descend into the 
cellar, where she laid herself in a corner near the door. 
Her children put their heads upon her knees. An 
abominable smell, the cries of the children, and her 
own anguish of mind did not permit her eyes to close 
during the whole night. 

On the next morning the cannonade began anew, 
but in a different direction. She advised her fellow 
sufferers to withdraw for a while from the cellar, in 
order to give time to clean it, for they should other- 
wise injure their health. On an inspection of their re- 
ti'eat, she discovered that there were three cellars, spa- 
cious and well vaulted. She suggested that one of 
them should be appropriated to the use of the officers, 
who were most severely wounded, and the next to the 
females, and the third, which was nearest to the stair- 
case, to all the rest of the company. They were just 
going down, when a new thunder of cannon threw 
them again into alarm. Many persons who had no 
right to enter, threw themselves against the door. 
Her children were already at the bottom of the stair- 
case, and every one of them would probably have 



APPENDIX. 269 

been crushed to death, had she not put herself before 
the entrance and resisted the intruders. Major Har- 
nage's wife, a Mrs. Raynell, the wife of the good lieu- 
tenant who had, on the preceding day, shared his soup 
with her, the wdfe of the commissary, and herself, were 
the only officers' wives at present with the army. 
They sat together, deploring their situation, when 
somebody having entered, all her companions ex- 
changed looks of deep sorrow, — whispering at the 
same time to one another. She immediately suspected 
that her husband had been killed^ She shrieked aloud, 
but was immediately told that nothing had happened 
to her husband, and was given to understand by a side- 
long glance, that the lieutenant had been killed. His 
wife was soon called out, and found that the Heutenant 
was still alive, though one of his arms had been shot 
off, near the shoulder, by a cannon ball. They heard 
his groans and lamentations during the whole night, 
which were dreadfully reechoed through the vaulted 
cellar ; and in the morning he expired. 

Her husband came to visit her during the night, 
which served to diminish her sadness and dejection in 
some degree. On the next morning they thought of 
making their cellar a more convenient residence. Ma- 
jor Harnage and his wife, and Mrs. Reynell, took pos- 
session of one corner, and transformed it into a kind of 
closet, by means of a curtain. She was to have a simi- 
lar retreat ; but she preferred to remain near the door, 
that she might escape more easily in case of fire. She 
had straw put under her mattresses, and on these she 



270 APPENDIX, 

laid lierself with her children ; and her female servants 
slept near them. Opposite to them were three officers, 
who, though wounded, were determined not to remain 
behind if the army retreated. One of them was Captain 
Green, aid-de-camp to General Phillips, and a yery 
amiable and worthy gentleman. All three swore they 
would not depart without her in case of a sudden re- 
treat, and that each of them would take one of her 
children on his horse. One of her husband's horses 
was constantly in readiness for herself. The Baron de 
Reidesel thought often of sending her to the American 
camp, to save her from danger ; but she declared that 
nothing would be more painful to her than to live on 
good terms with those whom he was fighting ; upon 
which he consented that she should continue to follow 
the army. However, the apprehension that he might 
have marched away, repeatedly intruded itself into her 
mind ; and she crept up the staircase, more than once, 
to confirm or dispel her fears ; and when she saw their 
soldiers near their watch-fires, she became more calm, 
and even could have slept. 

The want of water continuing to distress them, they 
could not but be extremely glad to find a soldier's wife 
so spirited as to fetch some from the river, an occupa- 
tion from which the boldest might have shrunk, as the 
Americans shot every one who approached it. They 
told them afterwards, she says, that they spared her on 
account of her sex. 

She endeavored to dispel her melancholy by continu- 
ally attending to the wounded. She made them tea 



APPENDIX. ^7i 

and coffee, for which she received their wannest ac- 
knowledgements. She often shared her dinner with 
them. One day a Canadian officer came creeping mto 
their cellar, and was hardl]^ able to say that he was 
dying with hunger. She felt happy to offer him her 
dinner, by eating which he recovered his health and she 
gained his friendship. On their return to Canada she 
i>ecame acquainted with his family. 

She also took care of Major Bloomfield, who was 
wounded by a musket ball, which passed through both 
his cheeks, knocked out his teeth and injured his 
tongue. He could retain nothing in his mouth, and 
soup and liquor were his only nourishment. Fortunate- 
ly the Baroness had some Rhenish wine, and in the hope 
that the acidity would contribute to heal the wound, 
she gave him a bottle, of which he took a little now 
and then, and with such effect that he w^as soon cured. 
She thus acquired a new friend, and enjoyed some hap- 
piness in the midst of care and sufferings, which other- 
wise would have weighetl heavily upon her spirits. 
On one of these mournful days. General Phillips, wish- 
ing to pay her a visit, accompanied her husband, who 
came once or twice daily at the risk of his life ; and 
seeing their situation, and observing the entreaties she 
made to her husband not to be left behind, in case the 
army should suddenly break up, and her reluctance to 
fall into the hands of the Americans, he plead her 
cause, and said, on retiring, "I would not, for ten 
thousand guineas, see this place again. I am heart 
broken at what I Ixave seen." 



272 APPENDIX. 

All their companions, however, did not deserve so 
much commiseration. They had some, she said, in 
their cellars who ought not to have been there, and 
who afterwards, when they were prisoners, were in 
perfect health, and walked about quite erect, and strut- 
ed as much as they could. They remained six days in 
this doleful retreat. At last a capitulation was talked 
of, in consequence of having lost by useless delays, the 
opportunity of eifecting their retreat. A cessation of 
hostilities took place, and her husband, who was quite 
exhausted by fatigue, could now^, lor the first time sleep 
quietly in a little chamber, whil'e she retired with her 
children and the maid servants into the adjoining room. 
Towards one o'clock, she says a person came and ask- 
ed to speak with him. She was very reluctant to 
awaken him at that hoar of the night ; arul she soon 
observed that the errand did not much please him, for 
he immediately sent the messenger back to head-quar- 
ters, and laid himself down again out of humor. Soon 
after this General Burgoyne sent for all the Generals 
and field-officers,, to attend a counsel of war early next 
morning, when he proposed to break the capitulation^ 
in consequence of some groundless information he had 
received. It was however decided that this step was 
neither advisable nor practicable ; and this determina- 
tion was very fortunate for them, as the Americans told 
them afterwards, she says, that, had they broken the 
treaty, they would all have been cut to pieces. This 
they could easily have done, as the British army was 
reduced to about five thousand men, while they had 



APPENDIX. 273 

given the Americans time to raise tlieir's to about four- 
teen thousand. On the morning of the 16th, however, 
her husband was obhged to repair to his post, and she 
to her cellar. 

On the 17th of October the capitulation was carried 
into effect. The Generals waited upon the American 
General, Gates, and the troops surrendered themselves 
prisoners of war, and laid down their arms. The time 
had now come for the good w^oman, who had risked 
her life to supply them with water, to receive the re- 
ward of her services. Each of them threw a handful 
of money into her apron, and she thus received more 
than twenty guineas. At such a moment, at least, if 
at no other, the heart easily overflows with gratitude. 

When the Baroness drew near the tents, a good look- 
ing man, she says, advanced towards her, and helped 
the children from the calash, and kissed and caressed 
them ; he then offered her his arm, and tears trembled 
in her eyes. " You tremble," said he, " do not be 
alarmed I pray you." " Sir," cried she, " a countenance 
so expressive ot benevolence, and kindness which you 
have evinced towards my children, are sufficient to dis- 
pel all apprehensions." He then ushered her into the 
tent of General Gates, whom she found engaged in 
friendly conversation with Generals Burgoyne and 
Phillips, General Burgoyne said to her, " you can now 
be quite free from apprehension of danger." She re- 
plied that she should indeed be reprehensible if she felt 
any anxiety when their General felt none, and was on 
such friendly terms with General Gates. 



274 APPENDIX. 

The gentleman who received her, she says, with ^ 
much kindness, came and said to her " you may find it 
embarrassing to be the only lady in such a large com- 
pany of gentlemen ; w^ill you come with your children 
lo my tent, and partake of a frugal dinner, offered with 
the best will ? " " By the kindness you shew to me," 
returned she, " you induce me to believe that you have 
a wife and children." He informed her that he was 
General Schuyler. He regaled her, she says, with 
smoked tongue, which were excellent, with beef-steaks, 
potatoes, fresh butter, and bread. Never did a dinner, 
she says, give so much pleasure as this. She was easy, 
after many months of anxiety ; and there w^as the same 
happy change in those around her. That her husband 
was out of danger, was a still greater cause of joy to 
her. After their dinner. General Schuyler begged her 
to pay him a visit, at his house near Albany, where he 
expected that General Burgoyne would also be his 
guest. She sent to ask her husband's directions, w^ho 
advised her to accept the invitation. As they were two 
days journey from Albany, and it w^as now near five 
o'clock in the afternoon, General Schuyler wished her 
to endeavor to reach on that day a place distant about 
three hours ride. He carried his civilities so far as to 
solicit a w^ell bred French officer to accompany her on 
that first part of her journey. 

On the next day, they reached Albany, where they 
so often wished themselves ; but they did not enter that 
city, as they hoped they should, with a victorious army. 
The reception, however, which they met with from 



APPENDIX. 275 

General Schuyler, his wife and daughters, was not like 
the reception of enemies, but of the most intimate 
friends. They loaded them, she says, with kindness ; 
and they behaved in the same manner towards General 
Burgoyne, though he had ordered their splendid estab- 
lishment to be burnt, and without any necessity, as it 
was said. But all their actions proved, that at the 
sight of the misfortunes of others, they quickly forgot 
their own. General Burgoyne was so much affected 
by this generous deportment, that he said to General 
Schuyler, " you are too kind to me who has done you 
so much injury." "Such is the fate of war," replied 
he, " let us not dwell on this subject." The Baroness 
remaind three days with that excellent family, and they 
seemed to regret her departure. 



As the reader may, possibly, have some desire to 
know how the author came to be living on the hallow- 
ed ground of " Bemis's Heights," and what he knows 
about the war, and Burgoyne, and Gates, and the 
marches and countermarches of the British and Ameri- 
can armies, and when and where the battles were fought, 
and perhaps a thousand other notions, I w^ill try to tell 
him, in my own luay. 

My father, the late John Neilson, Esq. deceased, was 
born in Elizabethtown, or Amboy, or somewhere else, 
in the state of New-Jersey, on the 23d day of March, 
1753, according to his own story, and he was always 
considered to be a man that followed the strict and 
straight forward line of truth. His father, and accord- 



276 APPENDIX. 

ing to the legitimate line of ascent, my grandfather, 
Samuel Neilson, was an EngHshman by birth, but 
whether he was uncle, or cousin, or any thing else to 
" My Lord" — Horatio Nelson, or by transposition. 
Honor est a JYilo, (for he fought the great battle of the 
Nile, and by his indomitable spirit of perseverance was 
successful, and received much honor for the victory,) 
I do not know, as I never have, very scrutinizingly, 
traced the line any farther back than to find out who 
was my grandfather ; but this I know, or, at least, 
have been so informed, that he was a man of great re- 
solution and uncommon perseverence, and so was Lord 
Nelson, and for that reason, as the same spirit runs 
down along the stream of family descent, I should be 
inclined to think there was some relationship, or some 
other ship, if it was not for that little i that seems to 
have intruded itself into the name of my grandfather, 
and so down along. But, as all things, especially in 
the natural world, are to be accounted for in some way 
or other, I will try to account for it in this way. We 
know there are some men who do not depend upon ifs, 
for instance, " if you will assist me I will do this, or 
try to do that," but rely altogether on their own 
strength and resolution, when about to execute some 
deed of valor, or requiring great mental exertion ', and 
on that account, the pronoun / instead of the conjunc- 
tion if is more commonly used by them, as, 1 will do 
this, or I will do that, or " / will take the responsi- 
bility," and which may have been the fact in this case; 
and possibly, during a long voyage (for they had no 



Ai^PENDlX. 211 

steam-boats at that time) in crossing the Atlantic, the 
1 may have forgotten its proper place, and accidentally 
slipped itself into the name, instead of taking its former 
position as a prefix. If that fact could be satisfac- 
torily ascertained, and the result prove my reasoning 
to be true, why then, I should of course, from the cir- 
cumstances before mentioned, and the fact of the same 
pronunciation being retained, claim, at least some dis^ 
tant, relationship to " My Lord^^ Nelson. But, until 
that question is settled, I shall, from necessity, be com- 
pelled to leave the reader to draw his own conclusion, 
while I go on and tell him something about my grand- 
mother, on my father's side. Her name before she was 
married, for she too, my fair young readers, was once 
a maid, was Mary Courtenay, cousin (here I claim a 
relationship) to Lord Courtenay, well known in revolu- 
tionary times, and was born in the city of Dublin, but 
at what period of the world I do not now recollect, if I 
ever knew. She was a woman of strong and retentive 
memory, and endow^ed with an unconquerable passion 
for reading, and would often, when I was a little boy, 
call me and my little brothers and sisters into her room 
(for she lived with my father till she died,) and enter- 
tain us with long and numerous stories, about the wars, 
and the Indians, and how her second husband, my step- 
grandfather, was killed and scalped by them, and about 
her own sufferings and deprivations; and when the 
"big tear" would roll down her cheek, I would cry 
too, — and what is it now, gentle reader, that is stealing 
from my eye as I am writing this ? — for we are sym- 



278 APPENDIX. 

pathising creatures the best way we can fix it. But all 
this does not answer the questions as I promised in the 
beginning ; though, as there is some Yankee blood in 
me, as you may possibly find out hereafter, I must have 
my own way of coming at it. Well, my grandfather 
^vas on the " stage" at the time of the Rev. William 
Tenant, David Brainard, and many other worthies with 
whom he was acquainted, and often entertained them 
at his house ; from which circumstance, I have drawn 
the conclusion, very naturally too, that he was a " good 
man," and delighted in entertaining, not only known 
friends, but " strangers" too. He was never rich, es- 
pecially in the things of this world, but in easy and 
comfortable circumstances, until, by misfortune, he be- 
came reduced, and soon after died, leaving three chil- 
dren, two sons and a daughter, of whom my father was 
the youngest, being then about ten years of age ; and 
who, by his industry and perseverance, assisted my 
grandmother in obtaining a comfortable living, until 
she w^as married to her second husband, about eight 
years after. When he was nineteen, being quite a ro- 
bust, athletic youth, and the times growing hard where 
he lived, he took a notion, like many other resolute 
boys in those days, that he would migrate to some oth- 
er part of the country, where wages were better, and 
land was cheap, and try to work himself into a small 
farm of his own, by the time he became marriageable, 
for boys often begin to think about it at that age, 
though many of them, especially in these times, with 
less forethought. 



APPENDIX. 279 

On the twenty>third day of March, 1772, being his 
birth day, a robust youth, with only a few shilhngs in 
his pocket, and an axe on his shoulder, which was all 
the property he then owned ; his wardrobe consisting 
of one suit of common coarse cloth, made sailor fashion, 
and one spare shirt, was seen taking leave of his pa- 
rents and friends, somewhere in the state of New-Jer- 
sey. Thus externally and poorly equipt, though well 
endowed with a good and firm resolution in the inner 
man, or rather boy, he pursued a reversed course to the 
Hudson, until he arrived within about one mile of Be- 
mis's Heights, for they were so called even at that re- 
mote period. Coming across two young fellows, who 
\vere lounging upon a log by the side of the road, as it 
is very common even at this time, at that season of re- . 
laxation, on a warm " sun-shiny" day, and being some- 
what fatigued with his long travel, he took a seat with 
them, in order to make some enquiries about the coun- 
try, for he began to think by this time, that he had got 
nearly to the end of the world, and especially the in- 
habited part of it. While conversing with these fel- 
lows, who appeared to be as ignorant of the country 
as himself, for they too came from a distance and were 
seeking employment, a man, who some two years pre- 
vious had moved, with his family, from the " Land of 
steady habits," came along ; and having cut over a 
large fallow the summer before, and wishing to clear it 
off and fence it the ensuing season, was in search of a 
" good hand" to help him. On enquiring of these 
" youngsters" if they were seeking work, and they all 



280 Appendix. 

answering in the affirmative, he soon made his selec- 
tion, and the " lot" fell upon the " New-Jersey boy," 
as possessing the greatest muscular strength, or at 
least, apparently so ; and the axe too, that he brdught 
so far on his shoulder, v/hich in these times would 
have to be handled with gloves, was no small recom- 
mendation. 

After "Very kindly directing the other two in the 
most advisable course to take, his employer, whose 
tiame (an odd one too) was Quitterfield, escorted him 
to his house, which was in sight, and it being near 
night, he was not set at w^ork on that day. 

The next morning he was up " bright and early," 
and there being no certain bargain made, unless on 
trial a few days, they should both be suited, his em- 
ployer thought he would give him a fair one in the 
start. After breakfast, w^hich was disposed of quite 
early, the old gentleman brought out his beetle and 
wedges, and having told John, for by this time some of 
the gals, (inquisitive creatures) had found out his 
name, he might split rails that day, he shouldered his 
axe, and catching up the other tools, they both started 
for the woods or fallow, some eighty rods from the 
house. On their arrival, the old gentleman led him up 
to a number of rail cuts which had been hauled to- 
gether, and among them there was one ^^ great big 
black-oak log," pretty considerable" winding, and told 
him he might commence on that. Having never 
split many rails, and eyeing the log sharply for a few 
moments^ and examining both ends, he sprang upon 



APPENDIX. 281 

the top of it, which raised him some three feet from 
" terra firma," and finding it very winding, he expressed 
some doubts whether it could be spht, while there was 
as much frost in it as appeared to be at that time. The 
old gentleman, knowing from experience, that the task 
would be, at least a hard one, yet, as his principal ob- 
ject was to try the boy's " spunk," as he termed it, he 
rather insisted upon his making a thorough trial ; and 
having very doubtingly in his own mind, encouraged 
him in the undertaking, returned to the house. After 
preparing two or three wooden wedges, or gluts as 
they are usually called, the youth pulled off his round- 
about, or sailor coat, and commenced operations, with 
a full determination to try to perform any reasonable 
act that his employer might require of him. After 
hammering away for some time on the iron wedges, 
which would often fly back again, on account of the 
frost in the log, he at last, by constant friction, got 
them so heated, that they began to melt the frost, and 
consequently to " stay put." By this time the sweat 
beginning to start freely, he pulled off his jacket, and 
went at it again with more courage, or hopes of suc- 
cess, and mauled away until he drove them, with much 
difficulty up to their heads, before the log began to 
crack, when it started some two or three feet with a 
sound like the bursting of a twelve pounder. The 
sweat now running down his face, and into his eyes, 
like streams of liquid fire, he threw off his old hat, 
and wiping away the sweat with his shirt sleeve, pre- 
pared himself with much resolution, for a further and 
desperate encounter. 
24 



282 APPENDIX. 

Having drove all the iron wedges up to their hilts, 
(heads I mean,) then came on the " tug of war " with 
the gluts, upon which he mauled and mauled, with a 
power not to be equalled by any son of Vulcan, until 
the sweat, in streams, ran off his face, and his clothes 
became saturated with the briny fluid ; but at last bang! 
went the log, and the fur flew, or rather the bark, like 
chips from a turning lathe, when it opened some three 
or four feet further. 

Now came on the closing scene, or " finis coronat 
opum." After " taking breath " a few moments, and 
a faithful application of the shirt slave, already drench- 
ed to its fill, and having placed the other gluts in the 
crevis or opening, he again went at it with renewed 
courage, and redoubled resolution, mauling away until 
their heads were mangled into brooms; but he still 
kept on, tugging, panting, and mauling, and the slivers 
snapping and cracking, and bark flying, when all at 
once, just as the horn was bio wed for dinner, cr-ash ! 
bang ! ! again went the " great, big black-oak logy^ 
and fell apart, with a sound resembling some mighty 
explosion, and much to the joy of the young proba- 
tioner. 

He now, for the last time, applied the shirt sleeve, 
and having slipped on his hat and jacket, went whistl- 
ing down to dinner, much elated with his success. As 
he entered the house, the old gentleman, who had 
something of a jovial turn, rather laughing in his 
sleeve, as the saying is, inquired, " Well, John, how 
many rails have you split ?" He replied, with an arch 



APPENIDX* 283 

smile, he had not counted them, but would before he 
came in at night, when the subject was dropped. Af- 
ter he had taken his dinner, and a few " sly winks," 
perhaps^ had passed between him and some of the 
" gals," for there were some two or three of them, he 
returned to his beetle and wedges, and soon slivered 
the two halves into rails, and with the others he split 
that afternoon, he counted two hundred at night, and 
made his report accordingly. The old gentleman was 
not only much gratified with, but even disappointed at 
the number -, for he did not suppose that he could have 
opened the first log, but had put him on it by way of 
trying his " grit " as he termed it. Being well satis- 
fied with his first day's work, and the family with his 
deportment, and deeming any further trial unnecessary, 
a bargain was closed for the season. The summer 
passed away very satisfactorily, and with much inter- 
change of kind feehngs, especially between some of 
the parties interested. 

The time having arrived, though with more or less 
reluctance, perhaps, to a certain portion of the family, 
when his term of service was to expire, he left for 
some other place in the vicinity, though not without 
occasional calls " for old acquaintance sake." Thus 
matters passed along for about two years, and this 
New-Jersey boy had collected, by '^ little crumhs^^ 
suflScient, with a trifling indulgence in credit, to pur- 
chase a small farm or piece of land on Bemis's Heights, 
on which, by his skill and industry he erected a " log 
cabin." Having cleared a small patch, sufficient to 



284 APPENDIX. 

raise his own " turnips and cabbage/' and about the 
same time, the eldest daughter of Mr. Quitterfield be- 
coming, by mutual consent, Mrs. Neilson, the log ca- 
bin was soon occupied, and the premises, though much 
enlarged, have remained in the family ever since. 

As the reader, no doubt, by this time begins to mis- 
trust all the why's and wherefore's about the Author, 
and Bemis's Heights, and Battles, and Battle-ground, 
I may as well answer the questions at once, by saying, 
it was altogether owing to the skill and perseverance 
of the New-Jersey boy, in splitting that " great, big, 
winding, hlack-oak log.'^ 

And now gentle reader, both male and female, as 
this is my first, I'll promise you faithfully, it shall be 
my last attempt at " book-making ;" and had it not 
been for that ^'indomitable spirit of perseverance,^' that 
has been floated down to me, on the long stream of 
legitimate descent, from the remotest generation bear- 
ing the name, I should, before I got half through with 
this, have " cut stick " and run,— and many, perhaps, 
would have thanked me for it 

THE AUTHOR. 



EXPLANATION OF THE MAP. 



The map represents a southeast view taken from dif- 
ferent positions, so as to exhibit the whole surface of 
the ground included within its boundaries. 

On the 18th September, 1777, General Burgoyne 
encamped on the flats above and below Wilber's Basin, 
with Frazer's division on the river hills and plain in 
the rear. Along the brow of the hills he thi'ew up a 
breastwork, with a redoubt at each extremity ; also an 
entrenchment across the flats, with another redoubt 
near the margin of the river. 

On the 19th the British army marched in three divis- 
ions — Phillips and Reidesel along the river flats, to 
within half a mile of the American camp, where they 
halted. Frazer, with the right wing, took a west di- 
rection to the road leading to the Quaker Springs, 
thence south towards Bemis's Heights ; and Burgoyne, 
with the center division, along the north ravine about 
half a mile, thence in a direction to Freeman's cottage, 
intending to join Frazer at the head of the middle ra- 
vine, where signal guns were to be fired for Phillips 
and Reidesel to advance to the attack near the river ; 
while the combined forces of Burgoyne and Frazer 
made the attack on the left of the Americans. But 
the intentions of Burgoyne being anticipated, he was 
met by the Americans, about three-fourths of a mile 



286 APPENDIX. 

in advance of their lines, and before the junction took 
place. Consequently, the left wing, under Phillips and 
Reidesel, fell back from their advanced position, and 
on their retreat set fire to E. Vandenburgh's house, 
which was consumed. 

At the commencement of the action on the 19th, 
General Frazer posted one thousand men on the rise 
of ground about one hundred and fifty rods north of 
west from Freeman's cottage, and advanced with five 
hundred to reinforce Burgoyne, whose division was 
already attacked. On Frazer's advance, he was met 
by Arnold at the head of his troops, in an open wood 
about sixty rods w^est of the cottage, where a severe 
engagement took place. Fearing that Arnold would 
cut him off from the main division under Burgoyne, 
which was his intention, Frazer brought on reinforce- 
ments from those troops posted on the high ground, 
alread mentioned, when Arnold, after obstinately con- 
testing the ground for more than one hour, was com- 
pelled to retire, leaving the field literally drenched 
with human gore ; and in some places, I have been 
informed by those who were in the action, the blood 
was ancle deep. 

"Freeman's Farm," as it is usually called, where 
the general action was fought on the 19th September, 
was an oblong clearing in front of the cottage; its 
length extending east and west, and containing some 
twelve or fourteen acres of ground. At the eastern 
extremity of this clearing, the first gun was fired on 
that day, by a small scouting party, which had been 



APPENDIX. 287 

sent out by General Gates to watch the movements of 
Burgoyne on his advance, and who were there met by 
a party of Canadians and Indians. The Americans, 
being few in number, fled after the first fire, and the 
Canadians and Indians, probably fearing an ambus- 
cade, declined pursuit. 

The skirmish on the flat bordering on Mill creek, 
was near where that stream emerges from the river 
hills. The place where it is s^id the Canadians and 
Indians after being reinforced, entered the American 
breastwork, which was then only partially completed, 
was about forty rods west of the redoubt at the north- 
east angle of the camp. 

After the battle of the 19th, Burgoyne, seeing the 
impratic ability of dislodging the Americans from their 
entrenched position, established his magazine and hos- 
pital near Wilber's Basin, where he encamped on the 
18th, and extended his line of fortifications, from the 
river hills south of the north or great ravine, across 
the plains west, to a point a little south of Freeman's 
cottage, thence north and northwest to Breyman's 
hill. 

After the action of the 19th, the Americans com- 
pleted their fortifications, which had already been laid 
out, as designated on the map ; and picket guards 
were posted at different positions along the south bank 
of Mill creek, or middle ravine, and on the rise of 
ground near A. Chatfield's house ; and also a line of 
pickets along the ravine south of Mill creek, and be- 
tween that stream and the camp. 



288 APPENDIX. 

The fifteen hundred men with Frazer at their head, 
that first marched out of the British camp on the 7th 
of October, were posted near the northern extremity 
of a rise of land near J. Hunger's house, and named 
in the " Narrative" as the " right advance ;" but pre- 
vious to the action, five hundred of them were with- 
drawn, and formed a part of the right wing of the British 
Une of battle. Colonel Morgan having posted his 
men on two hills, as designated on the map, made the 
attack in front and flank on the " right advance" of the 
British, and drove them in a northwest direction, to a 
swamp or marsh, where about two hundred were sepa- 
rated from the main body, and pursued by about as 
many of the riflemen, to about eighty rods west of J. 
Barber's house, where the British troops, being too 
hard pressed, ceased firing and " took to their heels." 
The riflemen then returned to the main body, which 
had just commenced a vigorous attack on the flank of 
the British light infantry. 

In about fifty minutes after the action commenced, 
the British troops were driven in from all quarters, and 
were huddled together, like a flock of sheep, about 
sixty rods north of the center of their first position, and 
the Americans pouring in their deadly fire on three 
sides of them, at which time General Frazer was mor- 
tally wounded. 

About the same time. General Ten Broeck came on 
the field, with about three thousand New York militia, 
and Burgoyne having lost many of his principal offi- 
cers, and fearing he might be surrounded, ordered a 



APPENDIX. 289 

retreat, when the British troops fled, hke passengers 
out of an omnibus (at the tail end) to their entrench- 
ments. General Learned, with a strong force, was di- 
rected to intercept them ; but taking too large a circuit 
through a piece of woods, the British got in advance of 
him. 

Both actions, namely, on the 19th September and 
7th of October, commenced at the middle ravine ; the 
first in a direct line between the fort on the Heights 
and Freeman's cottage ; and the second, about twenty- 
rods farther up, when the American picket was driven 
in. 

At the close of the battle on the 7th Octol)er, the 
British were driven to their camp on the plains, east 
of the ravine branching off to the north from Mill 
creek. During the night, they broke up their camp on 
the plains, and retreated to their camp north of Wil- 
ber's basin, and in rear ol their magazine and hospitaL 

All the dwellings included on the map were log 
cabins, except those of J. Neilson, E. Woodworth, J. 
Bemis, E. Vandenburgh, J. Vernor, and J. Taylor, (the 
Smith house, which now stands near the river.) This 
house was occupied, a portion of the time, by Bur- 
goyne, as his head quarters, and also by the Baroness 
Reidesel and other ladies attached to the British army. 
It is also the house in which General Frazer died.. 

The farm owned by Joshua Barber, on which a part 
of the British hne of battle was formed on the 7th Oc- 
tober, is now owned by John Walker, an aged and re- 
spectable member of the society of Friends, a good 

25 



290 APPENDIX. 

neighbor and a kind friend, who takes much delight in 
recounting the stories he has heard of the ever memo- 
rable battles on Bemis's Heis^hts. 

General Arnold quartered in a log cabin which stood 
about three rods north of J. Neilson's house, and General 
Lincoln, after the battle of the 19th September, in J. 
Bemis's house. 

The kitchen part of my dwelling, in which General 
Poor and Colonel Morgan quartered, being then in two 
rooms, is the only house now standing in w^hich any of 
the American officers quartered at the time the army 
lay at Bemis's Heights. And the Smith house, then 
owned by John Taylor of Albany, and occupied by 
Billy M'Gee as tenant, previous to the approach of 
Burgoyne, and which, I regret to say, is now in the 
act of being demolished, is the last remaining one in 
which any of the British officers quartered. 

The trees on the map are intended to represent that 
portion of land which was covered with wood at the 
time ; and the other marks to represent the clearings 
or cultivated part. 

The distance from Bemis's Heights to Ballston Spa, 
and Saratoga Springs, is twelve miles ; to the Quaker 
Springs, which are also mineral waters, three and a 
half miles ; to Stillwater Village three and a half miles ; 
to Do-ve-gat, (which is the Dutch of cove,) seven 
miles; and to Saratoga (Schuylerville) ten miles. 

Bemis's Heights, (proper) where the left wing of 
the American army was posted, and on which now 
stands the venerable mansion of the late John Neilson, 



APPENDIX. 291 

Esq., deceased, is a gentle rise of ground, in the midst 
of quite an extended plain, and commanding the most 
beautiful, picturesque, and extensive landscape, to be 
found, perhaps, in the Empire State; having, as it 
were, at its foot, the meandering Hudson, the Cham- 
plain canal, and the Whitehall turnpike ; the extensive 
range of Kaatsbergs and Helderbergs, with a broad 
expanse of country, in full prospect in front ; Lake- 
George mountains and their neighboring summits, in 
plain view in the rear ; the long line of Green moun- 
tains, with a delightful intervening prospect, including 
Bennington heights, on the left ; and a beautiful, va- 
riegated and extensive landscape on the right ; which, 
being connected as it is, with its Revolutionary remin- 
iscences, renders it a most eligible situation for a coun- 
try seat, and well worthy of a visit from the admiring 
tourist, or the earnest attention of some gentleman of 
fortune. 

History sheds a deeper interest over no portion of 
our beloved country. He who venerates the virtues 
and valor, and commiserates the sufferings of our fa- 
thers, and he who views with gratitude and reverence, 
the dehverances which Heaven has wrought for this 
land, will tread with awe on every foot of ground in- 
cluded within the boundaries of the accompanying 
map. 



Page 



ERRATA. 
5 — 4th line from top, omit the word otan. 



5— 5th 
15~2d 
48— 21st 
125— 21st 
160— 14th 
179— 19th 
236— 13th 

237— 9th 
279— 14th 
232— 12th 



for "mintue" read minute. 

for "minister" read ministers. 

for "prattlet" read prattler > 

for "his" read the. 

for "leaders" read leader. 

for "reach" read reached. 

for "reconnosance" read reconnoi- 

sance. 
for "the" read a. 
omit the word it. 
for "slave" read .'cleave. 



